Bees Nest Map

1. Executive Summary

This study observes the movement, nesting, and nutrition of wild and indigenous honeybees throughout Oceania and across the superhighway of Sahul.

Aims

  • Map & observe Wild Bees: To observe wild honeybee activity including nesting, migration and nutrition throughout the Oceanic.
  • Genetic Advancement: To measure how endemic wild honeybees strengthen the Apiculture industry.
  • Conservation Outcomes: To quantify the pollination value of free living honeybees to native ecology and Australian agriculture.
  • Agricultural Outcomes: To quantify the pollination value of free living honeybees to Australian agriculture.

2. Research Pillars

2.1 Nesting

Wild and indigenous honeybees inhabit diverse environments, including tree hollows, rock caves and open air.

  • Habitat: Observe the environmental factors influencing nesting choices across varied ecology.
  • Climate: Observe adaptations to weather and other geological factors. 

Pollination

The value and significance of wild and indigenous honeybee pollination to native plants and to Australian agriculture. This pollination from free living honeybees is essential to biodiversity, national environmental objectives and international goals such as the UN SDG's.

Migratory Patterns

We observe wild and indigenous honeybees and their migration patterns. This movement occurs seasonally to source food, nesting sites and to reproduce. Here we explore the movement of honeybees through throughout the Asia and Pacific regions.

Morphology

Observation of wing morphology and the venation pattern will help to define the origins and adaptations of Apis species in Australia.

Collaboration and Partnerships

This project brings together researchers, citizen scientists, NGO’s, Government and the Apiculture industry.

To share a wild free living bees nest, please fill out the form below.

Nests recorded

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VISIT THE HIVE  

View all Recorded Nests

Seven Sisters Songline 1994 by Josephine Mick, Ninuku Arts. © the artist / Licensed by Viscopy, 2017. Photo: National Museum of Australia.
Seven Sisters Songline 1994 by Josephine Mick, Ninuku Arts. © the artist / Licensed by Viscopy, 2017. Photo: National Museum of Australia.

Seven Sisters Songline 1994 by Josephine Mick, Ninuku Arts. © the artist / Licensed by Viscopy, 2017. Photo: National Museum of Australia.
Seven Sisters Songline 1994 by Josephine Mick, Ninuku Arts. © the artist / Licensed by Viscopy, 2017. Photo: National Museum of Australia.

Learn how to observe wild hives

Observing wild bees 

  • The origin of wild bees dates back over 100 million years before the age of beekeeping.
  • Wild nests are free living bee naturally occurring and can also originate from a nest swarm when they develop adaptation and hybridisation techniques.
  • Nests will originate along songlines and in areas of magnetic activity such as underground water streams, mineral deposits, and other areas of significance. These areas may display high activity of bee flight, foraging and swarming.

How to see a bees nest  

  • Open air: nesting sites where comb will hang off branches or trees in the air. You may see the beeswax, it mat be dark gold in colour or bright white wax.
  • Cavity nesting: found in cavities of approximately 40L of space such as tree hollows, caves and habitations.  
  • Flight path: A direct and active channel of bees all travelling either to and from one singular destination often a flower or water source. 
  • Scent: Hive air will present strong aromas of honey and beeswax. 
  • Sound: You will hear an orchestra buzzing. Buzzing will begin at sunrise and carry out until sundown.

Traits and characteristics 

  • Body colour: wild bees of the Apidae family display dark body colouration
  • Wing venation: variations will be seen in the wing structure and vein pattern
  • Body size:

Sugarbag stingless: 3-4 mm in length

Apis cerana: 7.0-10 mm in length

Apis mellifera: 10-15 mm in length

Apis florea: 7.0-10 mm in length

  • Defense: You may see a number of guard bees defending the entrance. 
  • Foraging activity: is an indication of a strong hive. You may see bees returning with full pollen pockets.

Comb structure

  • You may see a coating of propolis covering the entrance to the city gates
  • Honey and eggs are protected in between the outer walls of wax and the natural hive wall
  • Darker comb: High propolis development which displays strong defence qualities for hive health
  • Hexagonal comb sizes will vary according to their environment, season and local resources
  • The comb will reflect a natural architecture that suits the bees and their needs
  • A smaller wild hive may only hold up to 3 wax walls. The centre wall will host and incubate the brood and the queen. A larger hive can have over 20 wax walls. The larger the colony the more potential for future swarms.

Beelining

  • Beelining is a method for scouting wild bee hives.
  • When in the presence of bees on flowers, you may “beeline” the bees, follow the direction of their returning flight
  • Bees with full pollen pockets are sure to be on their way home and are great bees to scout

Project Objectives