Insect identification

Some of you appear to be knowledgeable about bees and their lookalikes so may I please ask for help identifying what appear to be some type of bee, currently visiting my Duranta.

I can't photograph them, I'm afraid, because they never stop moving around, giving each flower no more than a second or less. They seem to be two or even three times the size of ordinary honey bees and proportionately wider. They are a true golden brown, furry, and they hum enthusiastically as they go about their business. They seem to operate as a group because they are only in the Duranta and other stuff is in flower in the same area. The odd blue bee is at work there too and doesn't seem fussed by the newcomers.

Maybe I've found the answer already. They seem to be Teddy Bear bees, Australian native bees related to the Blue Bandeds (which may explain why they were working the same flowers without a problem). They have individual nests but a number of females may build nests in the same area...so it looks as if I have a little coven of teddy bears nearby. Nice, huh?

Aww they are so cute Meryl. You're very lucky to have them. I have bumble bees, which i love but of course they arent native.

I first saw bumble bees in NZ and has no idea they were in Tas. So huge. So bumbling. Fabulous.

We have millions of bumble bees here... I've seen the Teddy Bear Bees when I lived near Newcastle... they are soft and cuddly looking

AW you lucky people! I love Bumble Bees and Teddy Bears!

I love "Teddy Bears" too Val, can't you get them in the supermarket isle under biscuits, he he he he he

roseman wrote:I love "Teddy Bears" too Val, can't you get them in the supermarket isle under biscuits, he he he he he [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Oh hahahaha David - I thought when I wrote it someone might pick that up!
Trust you!

Actually Val.. bumble bees are a curse to our native bees.

Yes Simon, I've heard that. They don't seem to be very numerous on the mainland as far as I know. I've never seen one anyway. Oh but I don't get around that much!