Thanks once again to our USA based artist Cynthia for the honeybee. It’s a blue-banded bee. Cynthia writes: When looking up what the local bee species are I was utterly charmed to discover blue-banded bees and their habit of sleeping in groups, clinging with their mouths to little plant stems; and also found a scientific paper saying that using blue-banded bees as tomato pollinators results in 11-21% larger tomatoes. So this is Amegilla chlorocyanea with a tomato flower. This is the first time I’ve drawn a bee, so hopefully it’s up to snuff and doesn’t horrify any entomologists. 🙂
We’re very happy with our blue-banded bee Cynthia, and hope the research project successfully demonstrates that there’s no need to import bumblebees to support our horticultural industries.
Much of this newsletter is taken up with flood recovery issues. The last newsletter came out very soon after the event, and we spoke about things being closed “for several weeks”. Now we know it’s many months, and some places are changed beyond recognition. It will be interesting to watch the way the new landscape evolves. As it’s been a natural event, little will be done to deal with fallen trees and piles of rocks, except where they impact on infrastructure, access and safety. Meanwhile those of us who live close by can enjoy the look and sound of water in our creeks and lakes, and the extra greenness.
The FOGG committee I’m sure speaks for all members when we assure local staff of our sympathy and support at this stressful time. We are all having to learn patience. There is so much people would like to do to help, but damage assessment is a specialised field and work just has to wait until it is complete.
In the meantime we lobby for financial help.