Japanese carpenter bee
Specifically refers to Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans, a large native bee. Often written in kana.
See also: 熊蜂
The Japanese carpenter bee flies with a loud buzzing sound.
Colloquial use; in everyday speech, クマンバチ can refer to any large stinging insect like a wasp or hornet, though technically inaccurate.
A wasp has built a nest in the garden and it's dangerous.
Katakana spelling is common and matches usual-kana usage.
Kanji spelling is rare and may not be recognized by all readers.
Hiragana spelling; also common.
The name likely derives from 熊 (bear) + 蜂 (bee), referring to its large, bear-like size and appearance. The insertion of ん is a common euphonic change in Japanese.