Researchers have described a new Australian bee species, Megachile lucifer, discovered during 2019 fieldwork in Western Australia's Goldfields and published Nov. 10. Female bees bear tiny, under‑1 mm horns whose purpose is unknown but may aid flower access or nest defence. DNA analysis shows the species is distinct and is the first new member of its group described in over 20 years. Scientists warn it may be of conservation concern due to limited known range, a short activity window, and its association with the critically endangered plant Marianthus aquilonaris.
Devil‑Horned Bee Discovered in Western Australia — New Species Megachile lucifer Sparks Conservation Concern
Researchers have described a new Australian bee species, Megachile lucifer, discovered during 2019 fieldwork in Western Australia's Goldfields and published Nov. 10. Female bees bear tiny, under‑1 mm horns whose purpose is unknown but may aid flower access or nest defence. DNA analysis shows the species is distinct and is the first new member of its group described in over 20 years. Scientists warn it may be of conservation concern due to limited known range, a short activity window, and its association with the critically endangered plant Marianthus aquilonaris.
09:03 AM, 11/12/2025Science
New devil‑horned bee discovered in Western Australia
Scientists have identified a previously undescribed bee species from Western Australia: Megachile lucifer. The species was first collected during 2019 fieldwork in the Goldfields region while researchers were surveying a critically endangered wildflower. The discovery was published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research on Nov. 10.
Distinctive appearance and naming
Female Megachile lucifer possess tiny, prominent horns on their faces — each measuring just under one millimeter. These horn‑like structures are currently known only in females. Their function is not yet proven, but researchers suggest they may help the bees access flowers or assist in nest defence.
"The female had these incredible little horns on her face... I was watching the Netflix show Lucifer when writing the species description, and the name just fit," said Kit Prendergast, adjunct research fellow at Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences.
Genetics and taxonomy
Genetic analysis confirmed that the male and female specimens belong to the same species and that their DNA does not match any records in available genetic databases. According to the authors, this is the first new member of this particular bee group to be formally described in more than 20 years, underscoring how much biodiversity remains undocumented.
Conservation concerns
The authors describe Megachile lucifer as potentially "of conservation concern." This assessment is based on limited information about the bee's geographic range, its short annual activity period, and its apparent association with the critically endangered plant Marianthus aquilonaris. Because of these factors, researchers emphasize the need for targeted surveys and ecological studies to determine the bee's distribution, population size, and dependence on specific plants.
Prendergast warned that many environmental impact surveys — including some carried out by mining companies in the region — do not routinely search for native bees. Without systematic monitoring, undescribed or vulnerable pollinators that support threatened plants could be lost before they are recognized.
What happens next?
The research team calls for further field studies to map the species' distribution, document its life cycle and flower associations, and assess threats from habitat loss and land use. Protecting native pollinators often requires coordinated surveys, habitat protection, and inclusion of invertebrates in environmental assessments.
Publication: Journal of Hymenoptera Research, published Nov. 10. Lead author: Kit Prendergast, Curtin University.