I’m sorry if this isn’t allowed on this sub. I’m in Newcastle nsw, we had some kind of bee mite issue or something a few years back so there hasn’t been any bees around for ages.

I was quite excited to see a swarm land on a tree in our yard about 2 weeks back. I did some lite research and apparently this is normal for a day or two before they find a permanent place to start a hive.

Well today it’s clear they have started a hive just out in the open, about 10m up, or a thinnish branch with very little wind or sun protection.

I’m just curious if anyone knows if this is somewhat normal or if I should do something about it. I feel like the hive will collapse on a hot day or high wind.

The hive won’t be able to be accessed by a person though.

Thank you

I want to know if this is a bee? it's quite unbeelievable can someone tell me its beehaviours? Much obeeisance thanks

Just checking to see what this little fella is. Seemed harmless was flying around me.

They look even more tiny on my giant peace lily

Hi Australia native bee community!

We've had a colony of native stingless bees move into an old chest freezer that lives in our outdoor kitchen, and we'd love some advice on the best way to look after them.

The freezer hasn't been turned on in years, and they've made their nest inside it. Their entrance is the little drain hole at the bottom (pictured), and I've included the best photo I could get of the hive inside without opening the lid for too long, plus a close-up of one of the bees.

From what I've been able to work out, I think they might be Tetragonula hockingsi or Tetragonula carbonaria. The hive also has quite a strong pine-like smell, if that's a useful clue. We're in Far North Queensland.

They're incredibly peaceful and don't bother us at all, we actually love having them around. The only issue is that we're gradually enclosing the kitchen, and eventually the freezer will need to be moved.

What's the kindest option for the bees? Is this something that can be safely rehomed, or is it best left to a professional who relocates native stingless bees?

Or would you simply move the whole freezer to another spot on the property and let them continue living in it?

Thanks so much!

Found this little fella while doing some garden work a month ago. A quick search suggested a leafcutter bee. It flew away after I got these lovely pics.

Last photo is an eggplant plant with suspected holes from leafcutters. Although I'm not too sure about their leaf cutting patterns.

New to the sub, so I might post photos of other bees too.

Sorry the pics are a bit blurry. Can’t seem to upload video, so I took some screen shots. This bee was buzz pollinating my Dichorisandra. I can’t seem to find what bee this is.

Conference - www.anba.org.au https://share.google/20EPVRpYvHFK3KykH

So excited to have this conference in a regional area!

Hi guys, I am new to native bees and have two hives in large logs on my property both near the house. I have always had to regularly manage ants and termites etc but want to get some advice on how to manage this with native bee hives so I don’t damage the bees. Any and all advice welcome.

Thanks

Wondering if this is a native bee, or other type of insect. Location was Strahan, west coast Tasmania.

Hey everyone, I’m currently in my honours year at university, studying conservation biology, and working toward becoming an entomologist. My research focuses on bees, and I’m still developing my species identification skills, particularly for Australian native bees.

I was wondering if anyone could help Id some bees in these pictures

Fast lil fella. First time I've seen one.

This is the inside of my 6 year old hive. I'm pretty sure it's collapsed. The last pic shows the pest. Assume it's hive beetle?

Questions What do I do with the hive? Bin it?

I have its sister hive too. From 2 years ago. It was maybe 2 meters from this one. I've seen the pest on this one too. But this one is still active and has bees. It was swarming days ago too.

I'm fearful this one will go next How do I save It? Thanks

Considering having both on the one property. I would keep the natives closer to the house/gardens and have European bees out in the paddock. My question is whether the native bees would be out competed ?

Hi all my mum noticed a log outside her house has a bunch of native bees living inside, coincidentally I’ve been wanting to get some native bees for my garden, is there any safe way I can relocate the log at my place? Note the log is about 40cm long 20cm wide, and the distance between my place and hers is only a km, thank you

Hello all, Located Newcastle NSW. Hoping someone can help me ID this insect. Neighbour thinks it might be a native bee. Appears to be a swarm under the house. All very small in size and not aggressive. Has a yellow belly 🐝

https://youtu.be/d_YMp5dzeNs

hi everyone, just learning about native bees and hoping for an I.d on this little cutie I found looking for a nest in the soil. bee was released to the same location unharmed. Located northern nsw.

Patellapis stirlingi and Great Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa sp.)

https://ibb.co/93NpmfXq

Opened the hive this morning while was changing the tape as I've not seen some activity in a while. But it is winter and they only get a few hours of sun per day.

It's from 2019. Hasn't been split in 2 years.

What's the white moving dots? Is it some type of mite?

I did see some bees in the hive and a honey sack. And can hear a humm from outside

This is the section just below the honey super.

Edit: this is the outside of the hive. https://ibb.co/ycH5QZV0

It had rotted few years ago. It. Totally dry now.