The Teddy Bear Bee, scientifically known as Amegilla bombiformis, is a native Australian insect recognizable by its large, fuzzy appearance. This solitary species is often mistaken for the European bumblebee due to its plump, rotund body covered in dense hair. Teddy Bear Bees are not aggressive toward humans and will rarely sting, but only the female bees possess the physical ability to deliver a sting.
Identifying the Teddy Bear Bee
The appearance of Amegilla bombiformis is distinct and gives the bee its common name, as it is covered in thick, golden-brown or orange-brown fuzz. This dense coat of hair makes the bee look stocky and larger than a European honeybee, typically measuring between 15 and 20 millimeters in length. The abdomen of the Teddy Bear Bee features several dark, hairless bands, which can help in distinguishing between the sexes. As the bee ages, the hair on the top of its thorax often wears away, which can leave a visible black, bald spot. These native bees are widely distributed across the Australian mainland, found in all states except Tasmania, and are closely related to the Blue-banded bee.
The Stinging Capability: Male vs. Female
The question of whether a Teddy Bear Bee can sting is directly answered by the bee’s sex, as only the female possesses the anatomical structure required for stinging. The stinger is a modified ovipositor, which is an organ used by females to lay eggs. Male Teddy Bear Bees, like all male bees, are physically incapable of stinging because they lack this specialized organ, making the majority of individuals encountered harmless.
Female bees use the stinger purely as a defensive measure, not as an act of aggression. Since they do not have a large hive to defend, their inclination to sting is extremely low unless they are trapped, crushed, or feel their immediate nest is under threat. If a female does sting, the reaction is generally mild, lacking the potent venom of social honeybees or wasps, and is often described as comparable to a minor prick.
Nesting Habits and Aggression Levels
Teddy Bear Bees are solitary insects, meaning they live alone and do not form the large, complex colonies or hives that social bees do. Each female is responsible for building her own individual nest, which is a significant factor in their low aggression level toward humans. They do not have a communal honey store or thousands of sisters to protect, eliminating the need for concerted nest defense.
The female bee constructs her nest by burrowing into soft soil, creek banks, or even mud mortar, creating a tunnel that typically ends in several waterproof, urn-shaped cells. While they are solitary, multiple females may choose to nest in the same ideal location, sometimes creating a loose aggregation of individual burrows.
Role as a Native Pollinator
Beyond their appearance and mild temperament, Teddy Bear Bees are valuable contributors to the Australian ecosystem as native pollinators. They are specialists in a process known as “buzz pollination,” or sonication, which is a technique that other bee species, including the European honeybee, cannot perform. This method involves the bee grasping a flower and vibrating its flight muscles at a specific frequency to shake the pollen free from tightly closed, tube-shaped anthers.
This specialized form of pollination is essential for the reproduction of certain Australian native flora, as well as several commercially grown crops. Plants like tomatoes, blueberries, eggplants, and chilies rely on this vibration to release their pollen effectively. By performing this unique service, the Teddy Bear Bee plays an important role that encourages their conservation.