Researchers have identified a new native bee species, Megachile lucifer, in Western Australia’s Goldfields. Notable for its tiny devil-like facial horns, the bee was found visiting the critically endangered wildflower Marianthus aquilonarius. DNA testing confirmed it as previously unknown, highlighting major gaps in native bee surveys, especially in regions affected by mining. The discovery underscores the urgent need to study and protect native pollinators and the plants they support before habitats are altered or lost.
