Winner of the 2019 Whitley Award for Illustrated Guide
A Guide to Native Bees of Australia provides a detailed introduction to the estimated 2000 species of Australian bees. Illustrated with stunning photographs, it describes the form and function of bees, their life-cycle stages, nest architecture, sociality and relationships with plants.
It also contains systematic accounts of the five families and 58 genera of Australian bees. Photomicrographs of morphological characters and identification keys allow identification of bees to genus level. Natural history enthusiasts, professional and amateur entomologists and beekeepers will find this an essential guide.
About the Author
Terry Houston has studied Australian native bees for more than 50 years, both in the field and in state museum collections. He served as Curator of Insects at the Western Australian Museum in Perth for 34 years and, although retired, he continues his bee research there in an honorary capacity.
Table of Contents
Preface Acknowledgements Part I: Introduction
What is a bee? Form and function Origin and evolution of bees Australian bee fauna Importance of native bees Bee life-cycle Sexing bees About males and mating Stings Bees’ glandular products Size range Colour patterns, mimicry and crypsis Sociality Nests and nesting behaviour Cuckoo-bees Flower visitation and feeding Seasonality and flight times Associated organisms Conservation Historical account Collecting and preserving bees Encouraging native bees in the garden
Part II: Identification of bees
Identifying bees Is it a bee? Native bee or honeybee? Regarding names: scientific versus common Identification of Australian bees to family Family Colletidae Family Stenotritidae Family Halictidae Family Megachilidae Family Apidae Bees introduced to Australia Glossary Further reading References Index
Winner of the 2019 Whitley Award for Illustrated Guide
A Guide to Native Bees of Australia provides a detailed introduction to the estimated 2000 species of Australian bees. Illustrated with stunning photographs, it describes the form and function of bees, their life-cycle stages, nest architecture, sociality and relationships with plants.
It also contains systematic accounts of the five families and 58 genera of Australian bees. Photomicrographs of morphological characters and identification keys allow identification of bees to genus level. Natural history enthusiasts, professional and amateur entomologists and beekeepers will find this an essential guide.
About the Author
Terry Houston has studied Australian native bees for more than 50 years, both in the field and in state museum collections. He served as Curator of Insects at the Western Australian Museum in Perth for 34 years and, although retired, he continues his bee research there in an honorary capacity.
Table of Contents
Preface Acknowledgements Part I: Introduction
What is a bee? Form and function Origin and evolution of bees Australian bee fauna Importance of native bees Bee life-cycle Sexing bees About males and mating Stings Bees’ glandular products Size range Colour patterns, mimicry and crypsis Sociality Nests and nesting behaviour Cuckoo-bees Flower visitation and feeding Seasonality and flight times Associated organisms Conservation Historical account Collecting and preserving bees Encouraging native bees in the garden
Part II: Identification of bees
Identifying bees Is it a bee? Native bee or honeybee? Regarding names: scientific versus common Identification of Australian bees to family Family Colletidae Family Stenotritidae Family Halictidae Family Megachilidae Family Apidae Bees introduced to Australia Glossary Further reading References Index
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