Introducing Australia's Native Bees

There are over 2000 native bee species in Australia! These native bees come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and behaviors. Unlike European honeybees who live in large complex social societies with more than 50,000 individuals working together as one super-organism, many of Australia’s native bees are solitary, meaning that they live in small nests with only a handful of individual bees in a family and often have limited interaction with others of their kind. However, there are 14 species of Australian stingless bees which are social insects and live in larger nests.

Evolution in line with Nature

Native bees are closely evolved to native flowing plant species and often have specific body parts to access the nectar and pollen of these native species to pollinate them more efficiently. Some native plants have specialists flowers that can only be pollinated successfully by their native insect counterpart. This means that their size and shape is unique and access to the nectar and pollen within the flower is best accessed by a select group of pollinators who have evolved body parts and behaviors to best match this special shape. If the native pollinator is not present, then the native plant cannot be successfully pollinated and can be at risk of becoming endangered. Loss of this biodiversity is critically important across our planet, and understanding these subtle symbiotic relationships is key to protecting these species.

No sting here!

There are 14 species of native Australian stingless bees present primarily along the Eastern coast of the Australian continent. These bees belong to the Tetragonula family and are social insects that live in beautiful and unique spiraled combs within the trunks of trees that house several thousand bees in each nest. These bees create a small amount of very distinctive tangy honey called ‘sugarbag’ that has medicinal and germ-killing properties. Tetragonula stingless bees are used for the successful pollination of crops such as macadamia nuts, mangos, watermelon, and lychees in Queensland. These bees are very close proximity pollinators, making them excellent for crop specific pollination and can even pollinate well within greenhouses.

Protecting their world.

The conservation of Australian native bees is essential to maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems. As habitat loss and environmental changes threaten these bees, understanding their importance and implementing conservation efforts becomes increasingly vital for both the natural environment and agricultural productivity.

The world of Australian native bees is a captivating realm that holds immense ecological significance. These diverse and unique insects have adapted to Australia's varied landscapes, showcasing a remarkable range of behaviors and characteristics. Their role as efficient pollinators not only supports native plant species but also contributes to agricultural productivity. As guardians of biodiversity, Australian native bees serve as vital links in the intricate web of life, reminding us of the delicate balance of ecosystems.