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I don't wish to tax your patience, this is not about birds, it involves the
identification of a bee.
During the past few days we've seen a very colorful bee in the garden. It's
probably just a little larger than a honey bee, and its body is a bright blue
with narrow white bands. In fact, its colour reminds us of glossy enamel.
It's usually seen flying slowly, within 50mm of the ground. It could be some
kind of wasp, but I'll put my money on a bee.
I wanted to slam a honey jar over it, (seems like an appropriate thing to
snare a bee in) whip the lid on, stick it in the freezer and take it to CSIRO
for identification.
"No, don't kill it!" the little skirts implored, "It could be a rare
creature." A young daughter, and two young nieces, on holidays, can be
rather challenging at times.
Anyhow, we checked the few insect books we have, but to no avail,
and my little pests remain curious. "Dad! Uncle Jack! The enamel bee is
back, come and look!"
Help me, please! Before I thump the pesky little taxonomists.
John Layton.
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