By Rowena Chong
The Buzz about Bees
Bees are one of the most important insects in the world because they help pollinate plants, including many food crops. Pollinators are responsible for producing 75% of our food. Without bees and other pollinators, we would have no delicious fruits and vegetables- like apples, blueberries, cucumbers, lettuce and more!
What is pollination?
Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male organs of a plant (stamen in flowers) to the female organs of a plant (stigma in flowers). Plants need pollination in order to produce seeds and reproduce. Pollens can be dispersed by wind, water and animal pollinators such as bees, wasps, birds and bats.
Bees in Australia
Did you know, there are around 20,000 species of bees in the world? Most of you have probably heard of the Honeybee (Apis mellifera). Honeybees are not native to Australia and were in fact introduced by early European settlers to ensure a good supply of honey.
Australia is home to around 2000 species of native bees, found nowhere else in the world. Many native flowers in Australia can only be pollinated by our native bees, which is why they are so important in the ecosystem.
The stingless bees, aka sugarbag bees (Tetragonula carbonaria) are small, dark-coloured bees that prefer warm and tropical areas. As the name suggests, they do not sting and are harmless to humans. They are highly social bees and build nests with a spiral-shaped centre. They have tiny hairs on their bodies to help them collect pollen.
Image credit: Rowena Chong
Many people keep stingless beehives in their backyards. It is a great way to support native bee populations by providing habitats in the urban environment. A healthy hive also produces a small amount of delicious honey!
The Carpenter Bee (Genus: Xylocopa) is metallic green and get its names from its habit of cutting soft wood using its strong jaws to nest in. Unlike the stingless bees, the carpenter bees are solitary and do not build hives. They have a special way of pollinating flowers, called buzz pollination. To get to the pollen, the carpenter bees shake the flower vigorously until the pollen locked inside small capsules bursts out.
The Teddy Bear Bees (Amegilla bombiformis) also pollinate using buzz pollination. They have thick teddy bear-like fur, which is excellent for carrying pollen.
The Blue Banded Bees are one of the most striking looking bees, with metallic blue fur across their abdomens. Individual bee likes to nest close to each other in clay soil.
How to help our bees?
- Plant more native, bee-friendly plants in your garden
- Provide nest habitats. For example- build a bee hotel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH7YorqNeXY)
- Avoid using harmful pesticides
- Become a citizen scientist and contribute to pollinator surveys (https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/)
Did you know…
Have you got what it takes to be a good worker bee? Join this global waggle dance challenge to show off your waggle dancing skills! https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/about/waggle-dance-chaallenge/
To learn more about bees, check out these upcoming online activities as part of National Science Week:
https://www.scienceweek.net.au/event/diversity-is-the-bees-knees/
