Help us track an introduced bee!

The African carder bee (Pseudoanthidium repetitum) is a non-native bee that was first recorded in Brisbane in 2000. Our surveys in 2014 found that the carder bee was the 3rd most common bee species in Sydney community gardens. Despite its high population numbers, we know almost nothing about this bee and its possible impacts on other pollinators.

We want to track the bees spread and find out more about the types of habitats it prefers. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to track the bee across the country (although we would love to). This is where you come in!

If you see a bee you think might be an African carder bee, please send a photograph to us at: africancarderbeeproject@gmail.com . Alternatively, you can also post to our iNaturalist project at : https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/african-carder-bee-project

How can I tell an African Carder Bee from native bee species?

The African Carder Bee is 5-8 mm long and has distinctive white or yellowish stripes on its abdomen. Many native bees also have abdominal stripes, but African carder bees have coloured exoskeleton (‘skin’), whereas native bees have furry stripes.

African Carder bees often have quite hairy legs and feet.

Look at the first row of photos below. These are African carder bees.

Now look at the second row of pics. These are similar-looking native bees. Notice the stripes are made of fur.

THE PHOTOS IN THE FIRST ROW ARE AFRICAN CARDER BEES; THOSE IN THE SECOND ROW ARE NATIVE SPECIES. CAN YOU SPOT THE DIFFERENCES?

TIPS:

Look on flowers. We have found that African Carder Bees really love perennial basil (aka ‘African Blue Basil’, so if you have one of these plants, please have a look). When the bee lands, take a pic!
Take a photo of the plant the bee was feeding on. We are really interested in understanding which flowers this bee prefers to feed on. Having a clear photo of the flower and leaves of the plant will help us identify it.
You are more likely to see bees on hot sunny days
Since the abdominal stripes are important identifiers, please try to make sure that part of the picture is clear and in focus
Take lots of pics, it’s more likely that at least one will be useable.
If you are not sure, send us the picture! We are happy to confirm or deny.

Help us track an invasive bee

Help us track an introduced bee!

How can I tell an African Carder Bee from native bee species?

TIPS:

Invertebrate Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation Lab

@tanyalatty

Our lab stands on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. They were Sydney’s first scientists.

*We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the land and to Elders past , present and emerging. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded and that this is -**and always will be* -Aboriginal land.

Help us track an invasive bee

Help us track an introduced bee!

How can I tell an African Carder Bee from native bee species?

TIPS:

Invertebrate Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation Lab

@tanyalatty

Our lab stands on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. They were Sydney’s first scientists.

We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the land and to Elders past , present and emerging. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded and that this is -and always will be -Aboriginal land.

*We pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the land and to Elders past , present and emerging. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded and that this is -**and always will be* -Aboriginal land.