A species of blue bee called the calamintha bee has been seen in Florida for the first time since 2016. The metallic insect was found again in March by Chase Kimmel, a postdoctoral researcher at the Florida Museum of Natural History (FMNH).
“That first moment when we saw the bee in the field was really exciting,” Kimmel said in a statement released by the FMNH. “I was open to the idea that we might not find the bee at all.”
Kimmel and his advisor, Jaret Daniels, who runs the museum’s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, are doing a two-year study on the blue bee’s population status, where it lives, how it nests, and what it eats.
Even though the coronavirus pandemic has slowed them down, Kimmel and Daniels are still doing their best to gather information before the end of the blue bees’ flight season, which lasts from March to mid-May. Here’s everything we know about this miraculous insect so far.
Blue bees are a type of bee found mostly in Australia that can be identified by the distinctive blue bands on their abdomens. These solitary bees go by names like the blue-banded bee, blue carpenter bee, or blue mason bee. While they look quite different from the typical black and yellow striped honey bee, many people wonder if these blue bees pose any danger.
An Overview of Blue Bees
There are around 14 identified species of blue bees from the genus Amegilla The two most common species are Amegilla cingulata and Amegilla zonata These bees measure about 10-13 mm long and have pale to dark blue metallic bands on their abdomens.
Blue bees create individual nests rather than living in large colonies. The female bees dig tunnels about 10 cm deep in soil, mortar, sandstone, and other ground materials. They lay their eggs in brood cells along with pollen, nectar, and enzymes to feed the larvae. The male blue bees do not make nests and often sleep outside gathered on plants and leaves.
Are Blue Bee Stings Painful?
Unlike more aggressive bees blue bees only sting when they feel extremely threatened, such as if they get trapped or handled roughly. Their stings are not very painful often being described as similar to a minor pinprick or bee bite.
For people who are not allergic, a blue bee sting may cause a bit of minor swelling and itching around the sting site. The pain usually goes away within a few minutes. Multiple stings are very uncommon with these solitary bees that don’t guard hives.
So while blue bee stings can be felt, they do not deliver potent venom and the injury is generally harmless for anyone not allergic. The mild sting is primarily a defense mechanism if the bee gets injured or pressed up against skin.
Blue Bees Tend to Avoid People
Another reason why blue bees present little danger is that they actively avoid contact with humans. The bees focus on gathering pollen and nectar, especially from blue flowers, not buzzing around people.
You won’t find blue bees aggressively swarming around food at a picnic like yellowjackets. Unless you accidentally disturb its nest, a blue bee will just continue about its pollinating activities without paying you any attention.
Protecting Blue Bee Nests
Male blue bees sleep out in the open on plants, but the female bees burrow tunnels into soil, mortar, and similar materials to build protected nests. It’s in and around these nests that blue bees may become slightly defensive of their brood cells.
When landscaping, take care to avoid accidentally exposing or damaging nests hidden just under the ground’s surface. If you do uncover a nesting area, step away and allow the bees to disperse rather than blocking or harassing them.
Sting Risk When Gardening
Gardeners may be more likely than others to encounter blue bees since the bees prefer to build nests in areas with soft, loose soil. If you dig or till the soil, you could disrupt an underground nest.
The best way to avoid stings is to watch for small holes surrounded by mounds of dirt or sand, signaling a nest entrance. Also look for groups of bees buzzing near the ground in a particular area, which may indicate a nesting site. Delay any digging or work disruption in these spots until the bees naturally relocate.
Allergy Precautions
For the small percentage of people severely allergic to bee stings, a blue bee sting could potentially trigger anaphylactic shock. Those with bee venom allergies should always carry an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen) and exercise caution around all species of bees.
It’s a good idea to have an allergy test done by an allergist/immunologist to understand your body’s reaction. This can identify if you have a true bee allergy or simply experience minor localized discomfort from stings.
The Benefits of Blue Bees
While blue bees occasionally sting, they play an enormously important role as pollinators for gardens, crops, and wildflowers. Their specialized ability to perform “buzz pollination” makes these bees effective pollinators for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and blueberries.
The bees also contribute to biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem. For crops that require their buzz pollination, having blue bees around can significantly increase yields.
So although blue bees have the capacity to sting, they do not pose a serious safety risk for people. In fact, these docile, solitary bees that pollinate numerous plants are beneficial allies for gardeners to welcome. With minimal precautions, we can appreciate the industrious blue bee going about its pollinating work, keeping people and pets safe while helping fruits and vegetables thrive.
Do blue calamintha bees sting? Does it hurt?
“Yes, they do have stingers and yes they do sting,” Kimmel says. “They are definitely less painful than honey bees, bumble bees, and many wasps. I’ve only been stung twice, so it’s not a great sample size for comparison,” Mr. Smith said. He also says, “I only got stung when I caught the bee, and they are protecting themselves.” ”.
What do blue calamintha bees look like?
Calamintha bees are not at all like honey bees. Most of the time, they are smaller, measuring only 10 to 11 millimeters long, Kimmel tells Prevention. They’re also blue and black, instead of black with orange or yellow markings.
Another thing that makes them unique is that blue calamintha bees have a lot of short hairs on their faces, which may help them collect pollen (though this has not been studied), and they seem to collect a lot of pollen on their heads.
STUNG by a BIG BLUE Bee!
FAQ
How rare is a blue bee?
Do blue bees bite?
Do blue bees produce honey?
What does it mean when a bee is blue?
Are blue banded bees dangerous?
Blue Banded Bees Aren’t Dangerous Blue banded bees are not dangerous to humans. They do have a stinger, but it is so small that the sting it delivers is ineffective to humans. Blue banded bees are beneficial insects to have in the garden, because they pollinate many plants including vegetables such as pumpkins and tomatoes.
Are blueberries poisonous if consumed in excess?
There is no evidence to suggest that blueberries are poisonous if consumed in excess. However, eating large amounts of any food can lead to gastrointestinal distress, so it’s best to moderate your consumption of blueberries (or any food) if you’re prone to digestive issues. If you have any concerns about your diet, it’s best to speak with a registered dietitian or your doctor.
Are bees dangerous?
The nature of a bee’s danger depends upon who you ask. For those who keep them and process their delicious honey, bees are more friend than foe. In fact, there are many who think we are more of a danger to bees than they are to us. However, for those who are allergic to their sting, all bees have the potential to be dangerous.
Are blue banded bees endangered?
Blue banded bees are not endangered, although you might think so given you don’t see many of them about. This is because they are solitary bees and don’t live in a large colony like European honey bees. You may observe one or two together on a flower, whereas you might see dozens or even hundreds of European visiting the same plant.
Do blue banded bees sting?
Blue banded bees do have a stinger – but it’s too small to provide an effective sting. Their sting doesn’t produce as much soreness as the sting of a bull ant, and the pain only lasts a few minutes, unless you happen to be allergic. In general, Australian native bees are not aggressive by nature so they are unlikely to sting.
Do Blue bees carry pollen?
Unlike many other types of bees, blue bees carry the pollen they collect on their bellies instead of their legs. This is a characteristic unique to mason bees, so you won’t see the “pollen pants” that honey bees and bumblebees are known for.