Resin-dauber Bee (Chalicodoma sp.)
Published August 28, 2018 | Images of a 25 mm solitary Australian native Resin-dauber Bee. They are called resin bees because they collect resins and gums to build partitions between their brood cells. With over one hundred Australian species they are not aggressive and stingless. Solitary native bees drink nectar directly from the flower and are important pollinators.
Gold-tipped Leafcutter Bee Megachile (Eutricharaea) chrysopyga
Published November 5, 2017 | These leaf cutting or resin bees live solitary lives boring tunnels in rotting wood to make a nest. This excellent image shows pollen attached to the abdomen of the bee rather than on the legs as commonly seen. They are important pollinators for native plants.
Image courtesy of Wildlife Photographer Tony Belton.
Bush Companion Fauna Species of the Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers
Published January 13, 2016 | The newly published book “Bush Companion Fauna Species of the Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers, New South Wales” is available to purchase direct from the publisher.
This book contains over 310 “full colour plate” fauna species in 250 “perfect bound” pages with both common and scientific names.
Order by email at urimbirra7@gmail.com to reserve your copy.
Price $25 a copy plus postage from Sportsman Creek Press.
Leave a commentNative Stingless Bee and Slug Herb
Published November 6, 2010 | 
Found feeding on perennial Slug Herb ( Murdannia graminea) this Native Stingless Bee, possibly Trigona carbonaria species.
Carpenter Bee and Masked Bee
Published May 18, 2010 | 
A comparison of sizes between two species of native bees. The smaller Masked Bee is 15mm long and no competition for the huge male Carpenter Bee.
Scroll image to enlarge and magnify.
Carpenter Bee (Genus – Xylocopa ) subfamily; Xylocopinae.
Published May 18, 2010 | 
A large, robust native bee captured on Banksia flower in the bird sanctuary. Carpenter bees are a solitary bee which burrow into dead wood making tunnels. The males do not have a stinger and are important pollinators of open-faced flowers.
Native Masked Bee (Family; Colletidae ).
Published April 26, 2010 | 
There are many types of native Masked Bees. They have a distinctive yellow spot on the thorax. The bee in the image is gathering from a Banksia flower at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. They have a body length of 15mm. This species also displays two yellow patches on the top of the head which it uses to “face-mimic” and ward-off competition.
Poss; Native Reed Bee ( Exoneura ).
Published April 23, 2010 | 
A tiny 5mm long native bee photographed on Banksia flower in the Bird Sanctuary. Tentatively identified as a Reed Bee which nest in hollow stems, sometimes Lantana species.
Scroll image to enlarge and magnify.
Face-Mimicry Display – Metallic Carpenter Bee. (Xylocopa (Lestis).
Published April 11, 2010 | 
Head-on image of the Metallic Carpenter Bee, displaying “face-mimicry”. A form of protection which increases a creatures chances of survival.
Metallic Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa (Lestis).
Published April 11, 2010 | 
Image taken today on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. These attractive native Australian bees nest in the soft wood of Banksia and Leptospermum species. They are not social insects and do not possess a sting. They nest in a single tunnel over 30cm long. They have the potential to damage exposed timber on houses. This bee also displayed “face-mimicry”.
