Wasp-Mimic Bee

Description:

The Common Wasp-mimic Bee disguises itself as a black and orange wasp, presumably because wasps are more aggressive and will be left alone by potential predators

Habitat:

Open forest area , around native flowers

Notes:

The disguise of the Common Wasp-mimic Bee is excellent, even to the point that the bee holds its wings in a wasp-like V-shape when it lands. It was actually originally misidentified as a wasp when it was first discovered. The female Common Wasp-mimic Bee builds her nest in stumps, logs or fallen trees. She makes a cellophane-like curtain at the entrance and pulls it into a tight iris-like slit to deter predators and parasites. Inside the nest she uses a similar material to build cells for her eggs and provisions them with nectar and pollen. When she finally leaves the nest she seals the entrance completely. When fully developed, the young eat their way out.