Gardeners -- is this bug a friend or foe?

[Lady_Cluck]

There are a few of these bugs sitting on the flowers and leaves of my squash plants in my garden (located in northern Illinois). I've never seen it before. At first, I thought it was a dreaded vine borer, but it doesn't have the orange coloring on its backside and legs. I don't see any visible damage to the plants surrounding the bug, and it seems to be a very slow mover (won't fly away when I get close to it). I've checked all of the gardening books that are on my shelf, but no luck in identifying this little bugger.

One thing's for sure: the chickens won't eat it.

Any thoughts? Thank you!

 

[Imp]

Looks like some kind of bee to me. Don't know what kind.

Imp

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

from what I can tell it is not a foe, but I don't know if it is a friend

 

[AmyJ]

Yep, looks like a bee, but I don't know what kind either.

 

[insiderart]

Looks like a carpenter bee to me.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Quote:
Me too.

Friend in your garden. Foe to wooden stuctures!

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Try bringing one to your local MSU extention office. I am working on my master gardener certificate and that is what I would do with it.

It does look like some kind of bee to me as well.

 

[Lady_Cluck]

What a great idea! I think I will do that.

Thank you everyone!!!!!!

 

[Emzyyy]

Quote:
Me too.

Friend in your garden. Foe to wooden stuctures!

AGREED! they chase me when I wear my neon yellow/green shirt outside.

 

[insiderart]

We identified it for you. Now just look up carpenter bee if you want to know more. Good pollinators, will nest in wood structures.