Australian expert stumbled across new species when surveying a critically endangered wildflower in 2019
As if deadly snakes, spiders and sharks were not enough, Australia now has a new creepy critter: a “Lucifer” bee with devil-like horns.
The species – dubbed Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer – was found in the state of Western Australia, Curtin University announced on Tuesday.
Kit Prendergast at the university’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences discovered the bee while surveying a critically endangered wildflower in 2019 and was immediately drawn to the insect’s unique appearance.
“The female had these incredible little horns on her face,” she said.
