Xylopopines (Xylocopini) are a tribe with a single genus, Xylocopa, of the hymenoptera of the subfamily Xylocopinae commonly known as carpenter bumblebees. They are large, hairy and usually black. They are of worldwide distribution. There are 500 species in 31 subgenera. Its name refers to that they make their nests in the wood, they can dig it with its strong jaws.
The other tribe in the subfamily Xylocopinae is Ceratinini, which differs fundamentally from carpenter bumble bees by size; are much smaller. In addition, instead of digging their nests use hollow stems.
They are often solitary bees but in some species they live in tunnels in close proximity to their daughters and sisters, they are almost social.
Males of many species have a white mark on the face. In the spring they are usually seen patrolling an area and waiting for the females to mate. In other species males do not patrol but have a gland in the chest that produces pheromones to attract females.
wiki
