Australian scientists have identified a new species of native bee, named Megachile Lucifer, during a study of rare wildflowers in the Bremer Ranges of Western Australia’s Goldfields region. This area is located approximately 470 kilometers (292 miles) east of Perth.
The new bee species is characterized by distinctive horns found exclusively on the female, which may serve multiple functions, including defense, pollen or nectar gathering, and the collection of materials like resin for nesting. Dr. Kit Prendergast from Curtin University, the lead scientist on the study, noted that the horns captured her attention, leading to the choice of name inspired by the Netflix series Lucifer, which she was watching while writing the species description. This is the first new species identified within this bee group in two decades.
The name “Lucifer” translates to “light bringer” in Latin, and the researcher emphasized its significance in highlighting the urgent need for better conservation measures for native bee species and a deeper understanding of how endangered plants are pollinated. The findings, published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, call for formal protection of the area where the new bee and rare wildflowers were located, stressing that both are vulnerable to habitat disturbance and climate change.
Dr. Prendergast expressed concerns that current environmental assessments conducted by mining companies often overlook native bees, potentially resulting in the loss of undiscovered species that play vital roles in the ecosystem. The study underscores the importance of identifying native bee species and their plant dependencies to prevent further biodiversity loss.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c051yjv90dmo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss