x
Breaking News
More () »

Rare metallic blue bee spotted in Tampa Bay

It was first described in 2011. Scientists weren't sure if the bee was still around.
Credit: Florida Museum photo by Chase Kimmel

LAKE WALES, Fla. — Researchers in Florida have rediscovered an “ultra-rare” metallic blue bee that hadn’t been spotted in years – so long that experts weren’t sure it still existed. 

The Naples Daily News reports Florida Museum of Natural History researcher Chase Kimmel found a blue calamintha bee on March 9. Since then, more of the elusive bees have been spotted, but efforts to research the insect have been curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The museum said it was the first time one had been spotted since 2016. The blue calamintha bee – or Osmia calaminthae – has unusual facial hairs that are used to collect pollen. 

According to the museum, the species has only been positively identified in four locations across just 16 square miles of pine scrub habitat at Central Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge. 

What other people are reading right now:

FREE 10NEWS APP: 

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter

Before You Leave, Check This Out