Tiny but mighty: meet Australia’s native stingless bees
Learn more about native stingless bees and how you can help at home.
Ever seen a native stingless bee? You might need a magnifying glass. They’re smaller than a grain of rice!
At just 3–4mm long, these dark brown bees look like tiny ants with wings, especially when compared to the much larger European Honeybee.
Australia is home to 11 species of native stingless bees with Tetragonula carbonaria being the most common. These bees live in large colonies and build their nests in tree hollows using wax and tree resin.
Like European Honeybees, native stingless bees also produce honey, just in much smaller amounts. Their honey is known for its high quality, and a unique sweet-and-tangy flavour, earning them the nickname ‘sugarbag bees’.
These tiny insects are crucial pollinators. They help native plants reproduce and play a role in keeping our ecosystems healthy - crucial for the survival of many of our native plant species.
But despite all the buzz they generate, our native stingless bees face growing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and the use of pesticides and other chemicals.
An important part of Sunshine Coast Council’s role is to maintain and enhance the region’s natural assets, liveability and environment. Council is always looking for ways to support native flora pollination and enhance biodiversity. Recently a native beehive was relocated to one of our reserves (Kirbys Road Environment Reserve in Obi Obi). As natural hollows take decades to form, this provides essential habitat for native bees and helps sustain healthy ecosystems.
Native beehive relocated to Kirbys Road Environment Reserve in Obi Obi
Celebrate Australian Pollinator Week (8–16 November)
This Australian Pollinator Week, take the opportunity to learn more about these vital pollinators.
- Native Beekeeping 101 Workshop – Learn how to attract native stingless bees into your garden with plants and insect hotels. See a stingless beehive split and get to taste their amazing honey.
- Bats and Bees at the Library – Discover who does the pollinating in your backyard and how to attract them. Learn the easy way to identify pollinators.
Where to find stingless bees on the Sunshine Coast
Native stingless bees can be found in urban and rural areas, forests, woodlands, and heath. To see them busy at work, visit the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens or Parrot Park Bushland Reserve in Beerburrum where Council has installed native Stingless Bee hives to help pollinate our native plants.
How can you help at home
- If you find a nest on your property, don’t destroy it. These tiny, sting-free bees are great help in the garden and harmless to humans.
- Plant native flowering plants like grevilleas or bottlebrushes in your garden. These will attract native bees but also native nectar-feeding birds like honeyeaters or lorikeets.
- Avoid using pesticides in your garden when you can as they are highly toxic to bees and other animals like frogs and other insects. Let your garden bee a safe haven.