Tetragonula hockingsi

Tetragonula hockingsi is a species of stingless bee native to eastern Australia known for building distinctive spiral or layered honeycombs. Unlike many solitary bees, they are highly social and live in complex colonies. They are also notable for their surprisingly aggressive defensive behavior, often engaging in lethal warfare against rival bee colonies.

Yes, you can harvest a small amount of highly prized 'sugarbag' honey from Tetragonula hockingsi hives. This honey is traditionally valued by Indigenous Australians for its medicinal properties and unique, tangy flavor. However, because these native bees are small and produce far less honey than European honeybees, harvesting must be done sparingly to avoid starving the colony.

No, they are completely harmless to humans because they lack functional stingers. While they are fiercely defensive of their nests against other insects, their main defense mechanism against large threats is simply buzzing around or attempting to bite. This makes them an excellent and safe species for backyard native beekeeping in Australia.

In the wild, these native Australian bees typically build their nests in hollow tree trunks or branches. They seal their nest entrances with a mixture of wax and plant resins called cerumen to protect the colony from predators and weather. In urban environments, they can often be attracted to purpose-built wooden hive boxes provided by beekeepers.