This striking species is the largest bee in southern Australia. It has largely disappeared from Victoria and is rarely sighted in southern NSW. The bees require old, dead banksia or grass tree spikes for nesting, and they require access to flowers for food. Its ACT stronghold is the Australian Botanic Gardens - but numbers seem to be down a lot this year - so please keep a look out for it and report any sightings.
Xylocopa (Lestis) aerata is listed in the following regions:
Canberra & Southern Tablelands | South Coast | Greater Sydney
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