About Xylocopa pubescens Spinola, 1838
This species, scientifically named Xylocopa pubescens Spinola, 1838, shows clear sexual dimorphism in physical traits. Females are large, shiny, and black, with yellow markings on the head. Males are smaller than females, and can be distinguished by their narrow head and yellow pubescence that covers the entire body. X. pubescens has been recorded across the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, and the Middle East, with a distribution extending from Cape Verde to South Asia. The species has recently expanded its range into Spain and Greece in Europe. It typically lives in relatively warm regions, because it requires a minimum temperature of 18 °C (64 °F) to forage.
