‘Lucifer’ bee with devil-like horns discovered in Australia’s goldfields
Scientists discover new bee species with devil-like horns
- Scientists surveying an endangered wildflower in Western Australia's Goldfields discovered a new bee species, Megachile Lucifer.
- The female bee features unique, tiny 'horns' on its face, inspiring its name 'Lucifer' as a nod to its devilish appearance and the Netflix show.
- This discovery is the first new member of its bee group in over 20 years, highlighting the significant amount of undiscovered life.
- The bee's limited distribution and association with a critically endangered plant in a mining region suggest it is a species of conservation concern.
- The finding underscores the critical need to understand native bee populations before their habitats are disturbed, especially in areas threatened by mining and climate change.