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:
- Florida Keys will reopen to visitors on June 1
- Tropical Storm Arthur churns in the Atlantic, moves away from Florida
- Deputies square off with crowd at large party in Volusia County
- FWC, sheriff's office respond to Jet Ski accident on the Alafia River
- Cooking up costs? Some restaurants will add a coronavirus surcharge to your bill
- Breaking down Gov. DeSantis' new phase one guidance: What does it mean?
- Nursing homes can't seize stimulus checks for Medicare, FTC says
FREE 10NEWS APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter
