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Native Bees
Did you know that 'honey bees' are an introduced feral species? While they play a crucial role in honey production and crop pollination, they also compete with our native bees and aren’t always effective pollinators for native plants.
Australia is home to approximately 1,600 species of native bees, and some of them might be living in your backyard right now. Unlike honeybees, most native bees are solitary and exhibit diverse appearances—ranging from green and shiny to hairy and blue, or even tiny and black. Solitary Australian bees lay their eggs in small nests or burrows, provisioning each egg with a ball of pollen and nectar as food. You might spot common solitary native bees like blue-banded bees, leafcutter bees, and teddy bear bees in your garden.
Native bees are essential for our environment - they pollinate native plants and serve as a food source for other native animals. As honeybee populations face challenges due to colony collapse syndrome and attack from Varroa mites, the importance of native bees as crop pollinators is increasingly recognized.
Here are some ways you can support native bees:
- Plant a Variety of Flowers: Cultivate both summer and winter flowering plants in your garden to attract native bees. Diverse blooms provide essential food sources.
- Create Bee Habitats: Consider building a “bee hotel” to provide nesting sites for solitary native bees. Leaving areas of bare earth in your garden can also encourage ground-nesting bees like Teddy Bear bees.
- Learn About Native Bees: Explore resources online to learn more about these fascinating insects. Tim Heard’s book, “The Australian Native Bee Book,” available at Rockdale and Eastgardens Libraries, is a great starting point.
- Host a Hive: If you’re a Council resident in the Sydney area, you can host a hive of native Tetragonula carbonaria bees. These small, stingless bees are about 2mm long and contribute to local biodiversity.
To express interest in hosting a T. carbonaria hive, contact Council at 1300 581 299 or email council@bayside.nsw.gov.au and ask to speak to the Environment Officer.
More Information
Aussie Bee - What are native bees?
Photos courtesy of Flickr contributors Blue banded bees, bee on water lily, leafcutter bee, cellophane bees