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There are at least 1,700 species of "true blue" Australian native bees (see photos below of some common examples below). Commercial honey bees (Apis mellifera) are not native to Australia. They were introduced from Europe in about 1822. Australian native bees can be black, yellow, red, metallic green or even black with blue polka dots! They can be fat and furry, or sleek and shiny. Australia's smallest native bee is Cape York's minute Quasihesma bee. It is less than 2 mm long. Australia's largest native bee is the Great Carpenter Bee of the tropical north and northern NSW. It is up to 24 mm long. Most Australian...

An Introductory Guide from the Australian Native Bee Research Centre The Australian continent has steamy tropical rainforests in the far north, snow capped mountains in the south, and hot dry deserts in the centre. Native bees can be found in most of Australia’s diverse habitats. Multitudes teem through the carpets of flowers in our heathlands and swarm around the blossoms at the tops of gum trees. Some species burrow into the desert sands, whilst others nest inside straggly trees near isolated waterholes. Which native bees are found in your area? Native bees live in all parts of Australia. This stingless...