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Feral Bee or European Honey Bee (hive)
Apis mellifera
-27.4949, 153.403
Field Notes
Description:
I was really hoping that this hive belonged to an Australian native bee species, but upon closer inspection of the photos, I must concede that they are not native bees at all. They are an imported bee species - Feral or European Honey Bees, which are now found throughout Australia. When bees swarm and leave their managed hives they become feral bees. Feral bees take over nesting hollows and compete with native animals for nectar. The hive was up really high, so I couldn't have a close look at the bees themselves, but the hive structure is consistent with the species.
Habitat:
About 15-20 metres above ground, in the hollow of a native Strangler Fig (Ficus watkinsiana). Local park in Dunwich, on North Stradbroke Island, SEQ. Lots of large native trees.
Notes:
If you look carefully at the last photo in the series, you can see the hive heatly tucked away in the tree trunk. It was only by change that I looked up when I did and saw the hive. PS: I had a couple of visitors while I was looking at the hive: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/2098986002
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