Polistes Humilis
PAPER WASPS
What do I look Like
Paper wasps can be identified by their long thin legs and banded yellow and black markings; a few species with reddish markings. (16-20 mm)
A Little Bit About Me
This native Australian wasp, mostly solitary, forms familiar paper wasp nests under eaves or in garden shrubs. While not aggressive, they defend their nests if threatened. Undisturbed, they benefit vegetable gardens by preying on caterpillars They have been known to re-utilize old nests
Polistes Humilis
Where I live
Found throughout Australia
Polistes Humilis
Am I A Danger to humans
the sting is very painful, humans are not at risk of serious injury sting unless allergic.
European Wasp Vespula Germanica
What do I look Like
Brown with yellow abdominal stripes and pale face. (18-38 mm)
Has typical wasp colours of black and yellow, has three tiny black dots on the clypeus. This only applies to workers
Has typical wasp colours of black and yellow, has three tiny black dots on the clypeus. This only applies to workers
A Little Bit About Me
wasp colonies begin in spring with a single queen laying eggs in cells. The workers take over nest tasks while the queen focuses on laying eggs. The nest grows, and new queens and males emerge in autumn. New queens mate and disperse. In late autumn, the original queen dies, and new queens find over-wintering sites. In Australia's warmer climate, some queens may stay in the nest, leading to large nests over several seasons
Where I live
Found throughout Australia
Am I A Danger to humans
A minor bee sting reaction may include instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site to slight swelling around the area.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000
Vespula spp.
Yellow Jacket
What do I look Like
Worker wasps are 13 mm long, queens are 19 mm long, with alternating black and yellow bands. They have two sets of wings, a narrow waist, and a lance-like stinger.
A Little Bit About Me
yellow Jackets feed on insects like caterpillars and harmful flies early in the year. As colonies mature in summer, they're drawn to sweet foods, Active during the day due to poor night vision. They nest in trees, shrubs, attics, hollow walls/flooring, sheds, and under porches/eaves.
They are active during the day as they don't see well at night
Yellow Jackets nest in trees / shrubs, or internally in attics, hollow walls/ flooring, sheds, under porches/eaves of buildings
Where I live
Found throughout Australia
Am I A Danger to humans
A minor bee sting reaction may include instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site to slight swelling around the area.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000
BEES
Guide to bees in Australia
| Australian Native Bees State-by-State Location Table |
||||||
| QLD & NSW |
ACT | VIC | SA | WA & NT |
TAS | |
| 1. Stingless Bees |
Y | Y | ||||
| 2. Yellow & Black Carpenter Bees |
Y | Y | ||||
| 3. Green Carpenter Bees |
Y | ? | Y | |||
| 4. Reed Bees |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 5. Blue Banded Bees |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| 6. Teddy Bear Bees |
Y | ? | Y | Y | Y | |
| 7. Leafcutter Bees |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 8. Resin Bees |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 9. Homalictus Bees |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 10. Masked Bees |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Tetragonula* and Austroplebeia
Stingless Bees
What do I look Like
Australia’s own native honey bees are tiny (3 - 5 mm), black and stingless!
A Little Bit About Me
They usually nest inside hollow trees but in northern areas they also nest in urban situations such as inside wall cavities or underneath concrete footpaths.
Previously called Trigona
Where I live
Stingless bees are mainly found in the northern and eastern areas of Australia
Am I A Danger to humans
Stingless bees are generally considered harmless to humans.
Amegilla spp.
Blue-banded Bee
What do I look Like
These bees (mostly 8-13 mm long), with glittering stripes of blue or whitish hair across their black abdomens
A Little Bit About Me
Common Blue-banded Bees build solitary nests close together, often seen darting around the flowers of lavenders and abelias
favouring soft sandstone and mud-brick houses. Forming Bee tunnels in these rocks and old building mortar host cells with eggs and pollen/nectar for emerging larvae.
favouring soft sandstone and mud-brick houses. Forming Bee tunnels in these rocks and old building mortar host cells with eggs and pollen/nectar for emerging larvae.
Where I live
found throughout Australia
Am I A Danger to humans
A minor bee sting reaction may include instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site to slight swelling around the area.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000.
Hylaeus
Masked Bees
What do I look Like
approximately 3-11mm in length
Masked bees get their name from their distinctive yellow or white markings on their face.
Masked bees get their name from their distinctive yellow or white markings on their face.
A Little Bit About Me
Masked bees thrive in urban areas, forests, and heath, often nesting in twigs. Australia boasts their highest diversity globally, attributed to abundant eucalypt trees for pollen and nesting. Masked Bees have very little hair and carry pollen to their nests by swallowing it
Where I live
throughout Australia
Am I A Danger to humans
A minor bee sting reaction may include instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site to slight swelling around the area.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000
Megachile,
Resin Bees
What do I look Like
Large black bees that grow up to 14 mm long.White tufts of hair.
Small black bees that are only 8 mm long.Bright orange abdomens.
Small black bees that are only 8 mm long.Bright orange abdomens.
A Little Bit About Me
hey nest in pre-existing holes or gaps in timber or stonework. They are called Resin Bees because they collect resins and gums to build partitions between their brood cells and to seal their nest holes. Beekeepers
sometimes notice Resin Bees hanging around Stingless Bee hives, trying to ‘borrow’ a little resin for their nests.
sometimes notice Resin Bees hanging around Stingless Bee hives, trying to ‘borrow’ a little resin for their nests.
Where I live
found throughout Australia
Am I A Danger to humans
A minor bee sting reaction may include instant, sharp burning pain at the sting site to slight swelling around the area.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000.
A moderate reaction from a bee sting may be extreme redness and swelling at the site.
For some people, bee stings may cause severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis
For any life threatening symptoms such as anaphylactic shock immediately call emergency services on 000.
