We’re buzzing with excitement to share this bee-autiful footage of a Blue-banded Bee this #WorldBeeDay! 🐝
There are eleven species of described Blue-banded Bee, ranging in size from 8-14mm, found across Australia. Also known as Long-tongued Bees, these little native pollinators can be identified by the pale opalescent blue stripes on their abdomen - five for males and four for females.
The species has a unique way of releasing pollen, relying on a method called sonication or buzz pollination - a technique not employed by European honeybees. The bee will grab onto a flower and move their flight muscles rapidly, causing the flower to vibrate - dislodging the pollen.
#DYK: the Common Blue-banded Bee builds solitary nests, often close to one another, in preferably soft sandstone. They can sometimes be found having burrowed into the mortar of old brick buildings.
🎥 A Blue-banded Bee filmed during wildflower season at Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary (WA). B Leue/AWC
#AWC #BlueBandedBee #WorldBeeDay #BeesKnees #AustralianBees #NativeBees
18 май 2023
