Eastern Carpenter Bee is found in eastern North America so Nebraska is probably on the western edge of its normal range. It is found in forests and adjacent areas with flowers. The photos shown were taken on the prairie at Camp Brewster. It is probably locally common in our area.

Adults take nectar from many flowers. The social structure is such that there is no queen but primary, secondary and tertiary females. Primary females are ones that have twice overwintered. They perform all the tasks associated with raising young. Secondary females having overwintered once assist in rearing young only to the extent of protecting the nest from invaders. Tertiary females are the young of the year that are being fed by the primary female. Primary females excavate round holes in wood that are used for nesting. She provisions the nest with pollen and nectar and then lays 6 to 8 eggs. Females can excavate several holes, primarily in dry standing wood. Mating usually occurs in April.