New Bee Discovered for the First Time in Texas

Bumble Bees, Honeybees, and Killer Bees are all so 2024. We're approaching a new year, and it's time for a new bee! Scientist have discovered a new bee in Texas that lives underground, and it's blue! The bee's scientific name is Andrena androfovea, and it is a matte-blue color with a unique pollen pack and brushes! The bees run solo unlike most hive dwelling bees.

The pollen collecting brushes are uniquely designed to help the bee scoop pollen from plants in the tomato family. The brushes are located on the underside of the bee, and they are shaped like ice cream scoops.

Because this bee is so different from all other species, when it was discovered by scientist in Texas and Oklahoma, they determined it would need to be part of a whole new subgenus. The Blue Mining Bee probably diverged from other species around 12.6 million years ago, which makes you wonder why it took so long for scientist to discover them!

While the bee may seem like an oddball, it does bring awareness to some critical wildlife issues. Researchers hope this discovery will inspire sustainable land management practices that balance human activity with wildlife conservation.

“Every species contributes to the ecosystem, and this tiny blue bee is no exception,” said Dr. Keng-Lou James Hung, one of the lead researchers. “It’s a reminder of how much we still have to learn about the natural world.”

So next time you get stung by a bee that looks a little weird try to remember that it might be a new species that could be named after you!