July 9, 2025, 12:41 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
An unusually large, black insect is increasingly being spotted in German gardens, initially resembling a hornet at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, the so-called “Black Hornet” reveals itself to be an entirely different species.
With a size of up to 2.8 centimeters and a metallic-black body, the insect appears threatening to many people. However, the insect, colloquially known as the “Black Hornet,” is neither a hornet nor a bumblebee, but the Violet Carpenter Bee. Scientifically, it is called Xylocopa violacea and has been named the Wild Bee of the Year 2024 by NABU. Despite its imposing appearance, the Violet Carpenter Bee is peaceful, beneficial, and not dangerous at all.
Caution, Risk of Confusion
The Violet Carpenter Bee has a deep black body with violet shimmering wings. Its appearance is reminiscent of a bumblebee, but due to its size and dark color, it is often mistaken for a hornet. Females can grow up to 28 millimeters long, with a wingspan of about four centimeters.
The shiny armor and loud buzzing in flight enhance the impression of a potentially dangerous animal. In fact, the opposite is true: The carpenter bee only stings in extreme emergencies, and males are entirely stingless.
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Lifestyle of the Violet Carpenter Bee
As a solitary bee, the Violet Carpenter Bee does not live in colonies but individually, according to NABU. Females build their nests in sunlit deadwood by gnawing tunnels up to 30 centimeters long into decaying wood. There, they create brood chambers filled with pollen and nectar.
The larvae usually hatch in July. Due to climate change, this heat-loving species has been spreading increasingly northward in recent years. While it was previously found mainly in southwestern Germany, its range now extends far into northern Germany.
Ecological Importance and Conservation Status
The Violet Carpenter Bee plays an important role as a pollinator in the ecosystem. It prefers pollen-rich plants such as sweet peas or honeysuckle. Due to its body size and long tongue, it can pollinate flowers that are inaccessible to other insects.
In some cases, however, it also uses a trick: It bites a hole in the flower to reach the nectar without contributing to pollination. Nevertheless, it is considered an important part of biological diversity. Carpenter bees are protected by species conservation laws and must not be killed. On the Red List, Xylocopa violacea is currently classified as “not endangered.”
But beware: Not every large insect in the garden is a carpenter bee. If you see a specimen with a yellow-black striped abdomen, you might be dealing with an Asian Hornet. This species specifically hunts honeybees and is much more agile. The Violet Carpenter Bee—even though it is called the “Black Hornet”—flies leisurely and focuses on plants. It poses no threat to humans—on the contrary, those who leave deadwood in the garden or provide special nesting aids can actively contribute to the protection of the species.