Thyreus waroonensis

Common name: Waroona Cuckoo Bee

Meaning of name:

Unknown.

Distribution:

Found mainly in the southern parts of Australia.

Description:

This bee is approximately 15 millimetres long.

Notes:

Cuckoo bees lay their eggs in the nests of Blue-banded Bees. The cuckoo bee’s egg hatches first and eats the provisions laid down by the nest builder.

These photographs were taken in December and January.

References:

Identification courtesy of Terry Houston, WA Museum.

Atlas of Living Australia https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/2d51ff56-997d-4a12-963f-d2bf47489f49

Wildlife of Australia. Louise Egerton and Jiri Lochman. 2009