Recently I’ve noticed some large dark bees collecting pollen on a large melaleuca growing in my front garden (I’m in Brisbane, Australia). I’ve never seen them before - despite living here for about twenty years - so I tried to get some photos to help identify them. It seems they are ‘Metallic Green Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa (Lestis))’.
Here’s a couple of photos in case anyone is interested. Unfortunately the photos aren’t great - for some reason the bees have no respect for my endeavours and refuse to stay still for me.
