Australian scientists have discovered a new native bee species with tiny horns – and given it a suitably devilish name.
Researchers found the Megachile Lucifer while observing a rare wildflower that only grows in the Bremer Ranges in Western Australia’s Goldfields region, 470km (292 miles) east of Perth.
The "highly distinctive, prominent horns" are only on the female bee and may be used as a defence mechanism, to gather pollen or nectar, or to collect materials such as resin for nests.
The study’s lead scientist said she was inspired to use the name Lucifer as she was watching the Netflix show of the same name at the time.
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