Have you heard the buzz
More than just a humble honey bee, the installation of a native beehive in Elliot Springs will play a vital role in the preservation of our natural environment and educate the younger generation of the role of pollinators.
Townsville and District Beekeepers Association were awarded an Elliot Springs Community Grant in 2021 to fund the installation of a native stingless beehive in Wadda Mooli Park, as well as hosting an educational workshop for the community on July 6, teaching residents about native bee husbandry and pollination.
The installation of the beehive will be extremely beneficial to the community, with native stingless bees playing a critical role in pollinating some of Australia’s most unique native plants.
“The power of our native pollinators is something that has really been unnoticed until recently. Did you know that some studies have shown that native bees are better pollinators of native flowering plants and certain crops compared to honey bees?” said Nick Smith from Townsville & District Beekeepers Association.
“We wanted to ensure our local species was showcased within their natural environment. Through the installation of the native beehive, this colony will continue to thrive in this area and will eventually naturally duplicate into the native bush corridor for future generations.
“Native stingless bees store pollen and honey within the hive to feed the colony in times when our native bush may not be providing enough food source to collect. Native stingless bees live up to their name and are the only species that have female bees that do not sting.”
The hive has been installed within natural bush between The Hub and Wadda Mooli Park. The native bees are set to be the stars in free educational workshop in July which will provide the community with a better understanding of the winged insect.
A year after the installation, the hive will be revisited where one will become two as the hive is split and a new colony created.
Did you know?
We have over 20,000 different species of bees in the world*! Of that in Australia, we have over 1600* different species of bees. And of these 1600 species only 12 species are eusocial bees consisting of a colony working together.
* Source = NQ Native Bees
Want to be part of the buzz?
Townsville & District Beekeepers Association are hosting a special community native bee workshop – Wednesday July 6 from 9.30am.
Suitable for all ages, the workshop will take place outside The Hub and cover the following topics;
- Introduction to Australian Native Bees
- Anatomy of a Bee and differences between our species
- Honey, Pollen and Wax & relationship with flowers
- Native Bee Hotels & ways to encourage bees to your garden
- First Nations connection & other facts
- Take a look our Native Stingless Bees (Observation Hives on Display)
- Questions & Queries
For more information on the workshop contact NQ Native Bees on nqnativebees@gmail.com