BANDIT Blue-banded Bee, Fine Art Print

One of Australia’s prettiest little pollinators, Shannon couldn’t resist capturing this epically-coloured buzzing Bee!

Its opalescent blue stripes shimmer like gems that is set-off dramatically when it engages its remarkable “buzz-pollination” technique!

This little sparkling jewel of a bee plays a vital role in sustaining Australia’s native flora and this artworks is a little celebration of this unsung hero of our ecosystem and to stop and pause to appreciate the smaller wonders of the world!

Fun Facts:

The Australian Blue-banded Bee is a striking native bee known for its vibrant blue-and-black striped body and rapid, darting flight. Unlike honeybees, these little pollinators are solitary, meaning each female builds her own nest rather than living in a hive. They prefer to nest in soft soil, mudbrick wall or even in tiny cracks in old buildings. One of their most fascinating traits is their ability to perform 'buzz pollination'—a technique where they vibrate their flight muscles at an incredibly high speed to shake pollen loose from flowers. Blue-banded bees are active during the warmer months, darting between flowers in gardens, forests and woodlands across Australia. Despite their tiny size (roughly 10-12mm), they are energetic and highly efficient pollinators. While they have a short lifespan of only a few weeks to a couple of months, their role in supporting ecosystems is invaluable. These beautiful bees are not yet considered endangered, but habitat loss due to urbanization and pesticide use can impact their populations. Protecting their nesting sites and planting native flowers helps ensure these buzzing wonders continue to thrive! Conservation Status: Least Concern.