Aussie Bee Bulletin
Rare photos and intriguing facts on the secret lives of Australian Native Bees.

Issue 8 (November 1998)

THIS ISSUE'S FEATURED BEE Great Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa)

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

GREAT CARPENTER BEES - With their glossy black tails and bright yellow waistcoats, the great carpenter bees are the largest native bees in Australia.

PASSIONFRUIT POLLINATION WITH CARPENTER BEES - Carpenter bees are more efficient pollinators of passionfruit than honeybees or stingless bees. Dr Tim Heard looks at new nest designs.

AN AUCTION WITH A REAL BUZZ - Recently the right to name a new species of carpenter bee was auctioned to raise money for more research.

FIRST NATIONAL SURVEY OF STINGLESS BEEKEEPING - Hundreds of stingless bee nests are kept in backyards and farms across Australia. This survey wants to get a snapshot of the species and methods being used. Everyone who joins in wins a prize!

BUMBLE BEE IMPORTATION UPDATE - Permission to import European bumble bees has been refused for now.

1998 QUEENSLAND SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS - We introduce some the many enthusiastic native bee supporters Les and Anne Dollin met on their recent safari.

IN SEARCH OF THE MOSQUITO BEE IN CAPE YORK (PART 1) - From Kowanyama, Cape York, a packet arrived containing the tiniest stingless bees ever recorded in Australia. Were they a new species? Les and Anne Dollin trek to the cattle stations of the Cape to find out.

AUSSIE BEE MEETS BUZZY BEE - Buzzy Bee is a colourful wooden pull-along toy which has been loved by generations of New Zealand children.

HIVE DESIGNS FOR TRIGONA CARBONARIA - Denis Shepherd outlines some stingless bee methods and and experimental hive design for honey production and hive splittling.