Science has believed for more than a century that the species of bee Pharohylaeus lactiferus was extinct.
A research team has now proven the opposite.
Queensland - Long were thought to be extinct.
To
be
more precise: The bee species
Pharohylaeus lactiferus had
not been seen again
since 1923
.
Until now a team of Australian scientists dared to try to find the species again.
Not an easy undertaking, because even more than 100 years ago only a few specimens of this rare species of bees were native to Australia and researchers know very little about these insects.
Rare species of bees: researchers found three colonies
The scientists at Flinders University began their search in places in the states of New South Wales and Queensland.
Plants grew there, from which the bees mainly obtained their nectar.
The researchers took samples from the plants and, according to a
study cited
in the
Journal of Hymenoptera Research
, even found three bee colonies.
However, it turned out to be a problem that these three bee colonies lived in isolation from each other.
The continued existence of their already rare species could therefore be threatened by the lack of contact.
Pharohylaeus lactiferus
does not settle in every place, it prefers humid, tropical areas.
But these areas are shrinking more and more due to deforestation and global warming.
Forest fires also endanger this species of bees.
In Australia there are regular bush fires (* FR reported) that destroy the local flora and fauna.
With a length of nine to eleven millimeters,
Pharohylaeus lactiferus is
considered to be rather large and resilient.
She has a black body with white face and body markings.
Researcher: "Should intensify observation and protection"
In 1923, researchers discovered three male specimens of the bee species
Pharohylaeus lactiferus
in the highlands of the Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns.
James Dorsey, who was involved in the search, said, according to a statement from Flinders University, “Future research should focus on
learning
more about the biology, ecology and genetics of
Pharohylaeus lactiferus
.
If we want to understand and preserve this wonderful Australian species, we have to intensify our observation and protection efforts. ”* FR
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