Blue-banded Bee

Amegilla cingulata (Fabricius, 1775), of family Apidae, tribe Anthophorini, commonly known as the Blue-banded Bee, is an Australian native bee.

A. cingulata has a very striking appearance. Unlike the honey bee, it has pale blue stripes on its abdomen instead of yellow. The male can be distinguished by the number of complete bands, having five as opposed to the females' four. In size, A. cingulata can grow to 10–12 mm. It has a golden brown head with bulging eyes that have multiple lenses. It has six sticky legs and a long tongue to help extract nectar from flowers. Scientists believe that male bees have brighter blue stripes to attract female bees. The males cling to plant stems during the night. Quick and agile, it is a solitary creature, whereas honey bees create hives.