Understorey: Abuzz with Native Bees

Inhabiting the Perth Region are around 80 species of native bees, highly dependent on native flora. Still more bee species are being identified by science and catalogued, with some fascinating bee behaviours being described. However, rapid destruction of local bushlands means that some species are becoming scarce, and without adequate conservation of the diverse vegetation systems of the region, are at real risk of extinction.

Dr Terry Houston is the author of last year’s publication, A Guide to Native Bees of Australia for CSIRO, a beautiful coverage of the estimated 2000 species of Australian bees. He has studied Australian native bees for more than 50 years, both in the field and in state museum collections. He served as Curator of Insects at the Western Australian Museum in Perth for 34 years and, although now retired, Dr Houston continues his research in an honorary capacity there.