‘Devilish’: New Bee Species with Horns Found in Western Australia
A newly identified native bee species with distinctive small horns and a name inspired by the devil has been discovered in Western Australia’s Goldfields region.
Discovery in the Bremer Range
The horned pollinator was found during a biodiversity survey of the critically endangered wildflower Marianthus aquilonarius, which grows exclusively in the Bremer Range area, around 100 kilometers west of Norseman.
Scientific Naming and Inspiration
Native bee scientist Dr. Kit Prendergast named the new species Megachili (Hackeriapis) lucifer, referencing both Latin origins and a popular TV series for inspiration.
“These horns are very distinct and devilish, I wanted to call it a devil-like name and so I decided Lucifer,” Dr. Prendergast said.
“Lucifer means light bringer in Latin — I want to bring light to these issues around the lack of conservation of native bees, how many species are undescribed, and how many threatened plants whose pollinators we haven’t yet identified.”
Research and Classification
Dr. Prendergast, an adjunct research fellow at Curtin University, explained that the original plant survey occurred in 2019, but the formal classification of the bee took several years due to limited research funding.
She added that her team aims to create a comprehensive library of DNA barcodes for Australian native bee species. When this bee was analyzed, its genetic code did not match any existing record, confirming it as a new species.
“It’d been on my mind for years,” she noted.
Author’s Summary
A horned native bee, now named Megachili lucifer, was discovered in Western Australia, revealing new insight into native biodiversity and the importance of pollinator conservation.