Abstract:

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the species diversity of carpenter bees and primary rating its damage in China with the aim to provide references for the preventive conservation project making on wooden structure ancient buildings based on the risk zones of carpenter bees (Xylocopa). Method: Research was implemented to collect literatures and specimen information of carpenter bee, and summarize the distribution of various carpenter bees, then analyze the nesting characteristics of carpenter bees and the degree of damage to the wooden structure, meanwhile investigate the degree of damage to the wooden structures of ancient buildings in each province and record the carpenter bees regarding to the hazards of the wooden structure of ancient buildings. A comprehensive comparison was also made to divide the risk area of wooden bee hazards of ancient wooden structures nationwide. Result: No carpenter bee was found in Heilongjiang, only Proxylocopa existed in Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Ningxia and Gansu beyond Longdong area, and no carpenter bee damage was found in the wooden structure of ancient buildings in these areas. In Tibet, Henan, Shanxi, Shandong, Liaoning, Jilin and Longdong area in Gansu, only one species of carpenter was found as the X.appendiculata. In Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hebei, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces, there were two species of carpenter bees. Field survey results showed that mild hazards (hazard level 1) from carpenter bees appeared in Henan, Shanxi, Sichuan, Jiangsu and Anhui, however, hazards were relatively serious (hazard level 2 or above) from more than 3 species of carpenter bees in Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hainan etc. Conclusion: The three risk zones (CB1, CB2 and CB3) of carpenter bees (Xylocopa) for wooden structure of ancient buildings in China could be classified based on the species diversity, distribution, nesting character and damage degree. CB1, the low risk zone, might include Heilongjiang (without carpenter bees damages), and Qinghai, Xinjiang, Ningxia, Western Gansu and Inner Mongolia (with only Proxylocopa). CB3, the high risk zone with serious damages by 3 or more species, might include Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Hainan. CB2, the moderate risk zone with slight damage by 1 or 2 species on wooden structure, might include the rest of China.

Key words: wooden structure of ancient buildings, carpenter bees(Xylocopa), biological hazard, risk zones, nesting character