Devilish "Lucifer Bee" Discovered in Western Australia

In 2019, a Curtin University expert named Kit Prendergast made a surprising discovery while surveying a critically endangered wildflower in Western Australia. She came across a new bee species with a distinctively devilish appearance, including "incredible little horns" on the female's face. Prendergast, a fan of the Netflix show "Lucifer," decided to name the new species Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer, or the "Lucifer Bee."

This discovery is significant, as it marks the first new member of this bee group to be described in more than 20 years. Prendergast hopes it will raise awareness about the potential for many more undiscovered species, especially in areas threatened by mining activities. She notes that many mining companies still do not survey for native bees, risking the loss of species before they are even identified.

The Lucifer Bee's discovery underscores the importance of protecting habitats and biodiversity. Almost all flowering plants depend on wild pollinators like bees, but habitat loss and climate change are driving many vital species to the brink of extinction. Prendergast's find serves as a reminder that there is still much life left to be discovered, even in well-studied regions like Australia.