Wed Nov 12 10:49:13 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
A new species of bee, dubbed Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer due to its devil-like horns, has been discovered in Western Australia by Curtin University researcher Kit Prendergast. This is the first new member of this bee group described in over 20 years. The discovery highlights the potential for undiscovered species, especially in areas threatened by mining, and underscores the importance of protecting wild pollinators, which are vital for plant survival.
News Article:
Devilishly Unique Bee Species Discovered in Australia
Sydney, Australia – November 12, 2025 – Scientists have identified a brand new species of bee in Western Australia, sporting distinctive horns that have earned it the fitting name Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer. The discovery, announced by Curtin University, was made by researcher Kit Prendergast while surveying a critically endangered wildflower in 2019.
“The female had these incredible little horns on her face,” said Prendergast, a researcher at Curtin University’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, and inspired by the Netflix series “Lucifer,” chose the name to match the bee’s devilish appearance.
This marks the first addition to this specific bee group in over two decades, highlighting the vast biodiversity still awaiting discovery. Prendergast hopes the finding will draw attention to the potential impact of mining activities on native bee populations and the ecosystems they support.
“Many mining companies still don’t survey for native bees, so we may be missing undescribed species,” she warned. “Without knowing which native bees exist and what plants they depend on, we risk losing both before we even realise they’re there.”
The discovery underscores the critical role of wild pollinators, especially bees, in the survival of flowering plants and the urgency of protecting them from habitat loss and climate change.
First Piper 