This bee has distinct, bright blue bands and a fluffier golden thorax. The males ‘roost’ on plants stems. These little guys hang on with their jaws and when another male comes too close they wave their legs around to ward him off.
Adult size: 10-12 mm
Out and about
They like tropical climates and are about in the summer. Native to Australia this bee is also found in other regions.
Reproduction and Life cycle
The female makes her own nest in burrows. All females are fertile and make cells within their nest for each egg. She collects pollen to provide food for the bees when they hatch. Within the nest will be eggs that hatch males as well as females. Once the female has built the nest and laid her eggs she will not have anything more to do with it. Some species will build their nests close to other bee nests as a group or communal, but each nest is completely separate.
To deter
To control
Plants to repel
Plants to attract
Plant flowering plants for their nectar and pollen
Predators
Why they are Beneficial
Like the honey bee, they are important pollinators of plants.
They seem to be attracted to mainly blue flowers but also to the white flowered salvia, tomato and eggplant flowers.
Bees are important pollinators of flowers and fruits, and the word bee actually means “busy worker”.
