Xylocopa bees (family: Apidae) or alternatively known as carpenter bees (Afrikaans: Houtkapperby) make their nests in dead wood.
This male X. capitata are foraging on an Aizoaceae species. The two white spots (white hairs) on the dorso-lateral regions of tergum 1 of the abdomen (also called the metasoma) are distinctive of the males of this species. The females are completely black. This is a very large species with a body length greater than 3cm.
The yellow face-markings of the male is clearly visible in this photo. The female has no coloured face markings.
Male X. capitata individuals regularly claim territories around Nymania capensis (Chinese lantern bush) individuals. It is not uncommon to walk past one of these bushes when in flower and/or carrying seeds (late August into September), and being investigated by the resident X. capitata male.
