Busy bee

[calissa]

This is more for my own reference than anything, though there may perhaps be a couple of others interested.

Today I saw an Australian native bee in my garden.



Apologies for the quality, but the little guy was moving too quickly for me to get a good shot. You can see it below and to the right of the flower in the centre. The scientific name is Amegilla cingulata and the common name is for the distinctive turquoise stripes covering its abdomen. For those wondering, the bush is pineapple sage.

In other news, editing on the Gold Coast anthology continues so well that tonight I have run out of editing and can now only wait until I've heard back from authors. However, I do still have some admin work to tackle for the project... though I think I will leave it until tomorrow.

Comments

[kaberett]

BEE

[calissa]

:D

(Great icon, btw)

[raze]

I love native bees. I don't know if it's the same for you, but many of our native bees in the US are becoming scarce due to a combination of habitat loss, invasive plants, and being out-competed by invasive bees. I get really excited about photographing native bees when the season for it rolls around!

And: sounds like you're kicking butt and taking names on the anthology, go you!

[calissa]

Quite honestly, I don't know. I do, however, know an entomologist that works for the CSIRO, so I may ask him. He specialises in flies rather than bees, but he should have a fairly good idea.

Thank you! I feel like I'm really starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

[bunny_m]

Huzzah for native bees!

Had one of these in my own back yard a month or two ago, been keeping an eye out since in hopes of spotting her again.

[calissa]

They are quite a delight to see, aren't they? I shall keep my fingers crossed that yours returns soon.

[darakat]

Bee! I love the native bees, I used to see them all the time on Tuggeranong Hill have only seen one since I moved. Good luck with the editing!

[calissa]

I hear that Tuggeranong Hill has quite a diversity of native flora, so it makes sense that the native bees would gravitate towards the area. Perhaps once your own native plants are a little more established you might see more of the native bees?

Thank you :)