Eastern carpenter bee

This is a book of healing and renewal, and Gabrielle reminds us that life has the power to astonish us, especially when we allow ourselves to depart from our expected path and take a different one.

In today's Ask Randy, Dr. Randy Echol of Toadshade Wildflower Farm introduces us to the fascinating eastern carpenter bee.

She tells us how to identify them, why they nest in wood, and what attracts them to your property.

And she reminds us why these impressive native pollinators deserve just a little more understanding.

There are several species of large carpenter bees that are found in the western U.S., southern U.S., as well as Europe, Africa, and Asia.

They're found all over the world.

But there's only one species that is found in the northeastern U.S., and it is called the eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica.

Eastern carpenter bees are, in fact, fascinating creatures.