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Thanks to Jeremy Robert Nelson's message.05/16/05
Check on web and confirmed today:05/17/05:
The Valley Carpenter Bee (X. varipuncta) is a commonly seen
member of this genus in Los Angeles County.
The females of this species are a metallic black
while the males are a pale yellowish brown.
So, It's a male Carpenter Bee.

For more bees & insets please see:
http://www.pbase.com/tomsview/insects