Zebra-striped bee found at Somerset marsh site
A rare sea aster mining bee has been discovered at Steart Marshes in Somerset, surprising naturalists who thought it was limited to England's south and east coasts.
At a glance
- A rare zebra-striped sea aster mining bee has been spotted at Steart Marshes in Somerset, an area where it was not previously known to live.
- The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust credited saltmarsh restoration work at the reserve for creating the perfect habitat that attracted the bees.
- Of 290 invertebrate species found in UK saltmarsh habitats, 148 can only be found there, highlighting the ecological value of restored coastal wetlands.
A tiny zebra-striped bee, usually found along England's south and east coasts, has been spotted at Steart Marshes in Somerset, marking an unexpected arrival for the species.
Naturalist Nigel Phillips said the find "was a huge surprise" after noticing several colonial nest areas in dry sandy ground at the reserve. He initially thought the bees were only found in salt marsh areas around the Thames estuary.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust said saltmarsh restoration work at Steart Marshes had created the perfect habitat for the newcomer. The reserve hosts a wide variety of coastal wildflowers, including plenty of sea aster, which is believed to have finally attracted the bees to the Steart peninsula.
Of the 290 invertebrate species found in these habitats across the UK, 148 can only be found in saltmarshes. Site manager Bay Alys Laver said spotting such a rare species is a testament to the reserve's staff maintaining the site in concert with local graziers.
"People usually associate saltmarshes with huge flocks of wading birds, geese and ducks, but there is so much life here that goes unnoticed," Laver said. "Spotting such a rare species here is a testament to the brilliant work our staff do in maintaining the reserve in concert with local graziers."
The discovery shows how rare species and wildlife can thrive by restoring coastal habitats.
Source: BBC Science.
Questions and answers
- What is the sea aster mining bee?
- It is a tiny zebra-striped bee species usually found along England's south and east coasts that nests independently and relies on the saltmarsh plant sea aster for food.
- Why was the bee's discovery at Steart Marshes surprising?
- Naturalists thought the species was only found in salt marsh areas around the Thames estuary, so its appearance at Steart Marshes in Somerset was unexpected.
- How did the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust explain the bee's presence?
- The charity said saltmarsh restoration work at the nature reserve created the perfect home for the newcomer, with abundant sea aster attracting the bees.
