Overview

• A Curtin University study found that invasive European honey bees reduce reproductive success in native Australian bees, resulting in fewer female offspring, higher brood mortality, and smaller males.
• Researchers used 'bee hotels' across 14 sites in Perth to measure the impact of honey bee density on native bee health over two spring-to-summer seasons.
• Honey bees dominate pollen resources and forage from a broader range of plants, including exotics, intensifying competition and negatively affecting native bee populations.
• Scientists recommend limits on urban beekeeping, control of feral hives, and increasing native flowering plants to mitigate the impact on native bees.
• Australia's 1,700+ native bee species are essential for pollinating native flora, but they face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and competition from honey bees.