White-banded bees
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© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Lasioglossum
- Subfamily
- Halictinae
- Family
- Halictidae
- Super Family
- Apoidea
- Suborder
- Apocrita
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 1 cm
White-banded bees are members of the family Halictidae, which contains around 25% of Australia's native bee species and are (discounting the commercial Honey Bee) the most abundant bees around the world.
Identification
White-banded bees are generally medium-sized black or dark brown bees with broad white bands of hair across their abdomen. Lasioglossum lanarium is one of the larger species of white-banded bee (about 1 cm).
Habitat
White-banded bees live in urban areas, forests and woodlands, heath. Most species nest in the ground and a number of females use the entrance and main shaft but dig their own tunnel off to the side.
Distribution
White-banded bees are found throughout Australia.
Danger to humans
The sting of the white-banded bee may cause anaphylactic shock in people sensitive to bee stings. One case resulted in the death of the person stung.
Bee stings cause intense local pain and swelling but a severe reaction may occur in some people with allergies to bee stings. This reaction can include difficulty breathing and even collapse. The sting should be removed, pressure/immobilisation first aid should be applied immediately, and medical attention sought.
