Status and potential distribution of the Asian carpenter bee, Xylocopa appendiculata Smith (Apidae, Xylocopini), in the United States

Abstract

We update the geographical distribution for Xylocopa appendiculata Smith, from eastern Asia, which was first reported from the United States of America (USA) in 2013. After the publication by Dahlberg et al. (2013), there have been more sightings supporting the establishment of X. appendiculata in northern California. We used plant hardiness zones and maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling to estimate the potential distribution of X. appendiculata in the USA using specimen data from multiple occurrences (confirmed data from literature, museum specimens and validated data from Discover Life.org and iNaturalist.org). We include images and a list of diagnostic features for the identification of the subgenus Alloxylocopa Hurd and Moure and the species X. appendiculata so that it can be identified and reported to corresponding state or federal authorities, if necessary.

Note on bee mites of Sennertia Oudemans, 1905 (Sarcoptiformes, Astigmata, Chaetodactylidae) from Taiwan, with descriptions of two new species

“…appendiculata . The species X. appendiculata typically has bright pubescence formed by yellow setae on the occipital area, mesosoma, and external side of fore tibiae (Smith-Pardo et al 2020). However, the setae in the Taiwan population exhibit orange colors (Figure 9A, 9B).…”

“…However, there are contrasting viewpoints suggesting that Sennertia may have positive interaction with their hosts because they help exclude harmful organisms from the nest; due to this reason, some of Xylocopa have adapted to Sennertia through long-term evolution (Eickwort 1994;Klimov et al 2007). With the development of global trade, some Xylocopa bees have become invasive alien species (IAS) (Barrows 1980;Kawazoe et al 2010;Ruiz et al 2020;Smith-Pardo et al 2020). Carpenter bees that nest in bamboo or wood may be transported to various places along with commercial goods and may carry invasive Sennertia mites, potentially threatening indigenous pollinators (Okabe et al 2010).…”

New record of Xylocopa (Alloxylocopa) appendiculata Smith, 1852 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Primorskii Krai of Russia

“…Относительно недавно в Японии обнаружен гнездящийся в бамбуке X . tranquebarorum (Swederus, 1787), завезённый из Индии или Китая [Okabe et al, 2010], а в Калифорнии (США): X. appendiculata Smith, 1852, завезённый, вероятно, из Японии [Dahlberg et al, 2013Smith-Pardo et al, 2020].…”