Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Home Inspection Practice Exam

Which type of carpenter bee is capable of stinging?

1. Female

2. Male

3. Both

4. None

The correct answer is: Female

The female carpenter bee is the one capable of stinging. This is primarily due to her role in the colony, which involves defending her nest when threatened. Female carpenter bees possess a stinger and will use it if they perceive a threat to themselves or their nest. In contrast, male carpenter bees do not have stingers; instead, their behavior might seem aggressive as they fly around and hover near people, but this is more about asserting territorial claims than actual aggression. Males can appear threatening but are harmless as they lack the anatomical structure to sting. Therefore, it is the female carpenter bee that should be recognized for her ability to sting, owing to her role in nest protection and defense.