Australian researchers have named a newly described native bee Megachile lucifer, nicknamed the "Lucifer Bee," after tiny, upward-pointing horns on the black female that resemble devil-like features. Discovered in 2019 while surveying a critically endangered wildflower in Western Australia's Goldfields, the species was described in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research. DNA analysis shows it is the first new member of its group described in over 20 years; female horns measure about 0.9 mm while males lack horns. Scientists warn the bee may be vulnerable to climate change and habitat threats, stressing the need to document native pollinators and their plant relationships.
Meet the "Lucifer Bee": Australian Species Named for Tiny Devil‑Like Horns
Australian researchers have named a newly described native bee Megachile lucifer, nicknamed the "Lucifer Bee," after tiny, upward-pointing horns on the black female that resemble devil-like features. Discovered in 2019 while surveying a critically endangered wildflower in Western Australia's Goldfields, the species was described in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research. DNA analysis shows it is the first new member of its group described in over 20 years; female horns measure about 0.9 mm while males lack horns. Scientists warn the bee may be vulnerable to climate change and habitat threats, stressing the need to document native pollinators and their plant relationships.
08:48 PM, 11/12/2025Science
Scientists Name New Australian Bee "Lucifer" After Distinctive Horns
Australian researchers have named a newly described native bee Megachile lucifer — popularly dubbed the "Lucifer Bee" — because the black females display tiny, upward-pointing, devil-like horns that echoed the Netflix character. The TV series Lucifer premiered on January 25, 2016, and concluded on September 10, 2021; the role is played by Welsh actor Tom Ellis.
The species was discovered in 2019 while scientists were surveying a critically endangered wildflower in Western Australia's Goldfields region. Lead author and adjunct research fellow at Curtin University, Dr. Kit Prendergast, reported observing the bee visiting both the rare wildflower and a nearby mallee tree during the survey.
"The female had these incredible little horns on her face," Dr. Prendergast said. "When I was writing up the new species description I was watching the Netflix show Lucifer, and the name just fit — I’m also a fan of the character, so it was a no-brainer."
The black female bees bear small facial horns about 0.9 millimeters long; males lack these horns. Researchers performed an extensive DNA analysis and determined that Megachile lucifer is the first new member of this particular bee group to be formally described in more than 20 years.
Publication of the formal description appeared in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, and outlets including NBC News reported on the discovery. Dr. Prendergast emphasized that the find highlights how much biodiversity remains undocumented, even in areas under pressure from human activity.
Conservation concerns: Scientists warned the new species could be vulnerable to climate change and habitat loss — including threats from mining in the Goldfields. "Without knowing which native bees exist and what plants they depend on, we risk losing both before we even realize they're there," Dr. Prendergast said.
This discovery underscores both the surprises still left in well-studied countries like Australia and the urgency of documenting species and their ecological relationships before they are imperiled.