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

Issue 10 (May 1999)

THIS ISSUE'S FEATURED BEE Cuckoo Bee (genus Thyreus)

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

THE CLOAK AND DAGGER CUCKOO BEES (GENUS THYREUS) - Stunningly beautiful, with white and blue spots, these bees lead a life of deceit! They prey on the nests of blue banded bees and teddy bear bees.

AUSTRALIA'S FIRST SURVEY OF STINGLESS BEEKEEPING - THE RESULTS - Over 300 replies were received to this Survey. They create a fascinating snapshot of stingless beekeeping in Australia in 1999.

THE ONE THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY! - Peter Davenport gives Australia's first report of a successfully boxed stingless bee swarm.

NEW GREENHOUSE POLLINATION STUDY WITH TRIGONA - Pablo Occhiuzzi of the University of Western Sydney is studying the greenhouse pollination of capsicum with Trigona carbonaria.

A FIELD GUIDE TO THE NATIVE BEES IS COMING - We are looking for enthusiastic bee-watchers to help with this ambitious new project. Can you help?

A WORLD-WIDE VIEW OF AUSTRALIA'S UNIQUE BEES - Of the 25,000 described species of bees throughout the world, 1,500 - 3,000 species reside in Australia. This article compares Australian bees with those found in other countries.

ON NATIVE BEE SAFARI - THE MYSTERIOUS DRONES OF SOMERSET (Part 1) - Les Dollin tells the story of a safari which spanned two continents.

STINGLESS BEEKEEPING ON VIDEO - AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST - We announce a 30 minute video entitled Australian Native Bees: Keeping Trigona carbonaria. This video, produced by Denis Shepherd, is a graphic demonstration of stingless beekeeping.

HOW TO RESCUE A NEST OF AUSTRALIAN STINGLESS BEES - Every year large numbers of stingless bee nests are destroyed, often unintentionally, by firewood collectors and land clearers. Bill Milne gives advice on how to find, rescue, set up and support bee nests in your area.