A Guide to Native Bees of Australia by Terry Houston

Description

A Guide to Native Bees of Australia by Terry Houston | Australian Hive Hotel

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.

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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