Devilishly distinctive new bee species discovered

A new bee species, Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer, was discovered in Western Australia's Goldfields. This native bee, named for its tiny "horns," was found while surveying the critically endangered wildflower Marianthus aquilonarius. Dr. Kit Prendergast noted that the name "lucifer" was inspired by both the bee's appearance and a Netflix show of the same name.

DNA barcoding revealed it is a distinct species, the first new member of its group in over 20 years. The discovery underscores the need to understand native bees’ habitats before they are affected by disturbances like mining and climate change.

The study coincides with Australian Pollinator Week, emphasizing the significance of pollinators in healthy ecosystems.