A rare Sericogaster Fasciata bee enjoys a feast on a native flannel flower in Faulconbridge. (Photo by V. Shepherd used with permission)
Story by Gabiann Marin
One cloudy afternoon in January 2021, local Faulconbridge resident Dr Virginia Shepherd stumbled upon an amazing discovery, almost in her own backyard. A native bee which had not been recorded in Australia for over 50 years and that was feared extinct.
Dr Shepherd discovered the animal quietly busying itself around the Ridge at Faulconbridge, a place which she believes is one of the most active and important areas for local wildlife and insect activity in the Blue Mountains.
Key Points:
Documenting local insects can be fun, rewarding and a great opportunity to make an unusual or amazing find.
Discoveries of rare and previously believed extinct insects are changing the ways we are seeing the current climate emergency.
Citizen Science and amateur insect enthusiasts are a key part of the climate change solution.
Dr Virgina Shepherd doesn’t look like the average bug enthusiast. University educator and cell biologist by trade, she is more likely to be found in a lab or a classroom than out in the Blue Mountains bushland, but during Covid lockdowns Virginia discovered a hidden passion for the bushland right on her doorstep.
“I am so lucky to live along the Ridge,” Dr Shepherd says. “We have a very special area: a unique kind of ridge system in the mountains. It’s a unique sort of habitat in all sorts of ways. There’s bushland, heath land. We get lots of pea flowers, like the gompholobiums and many other kinds of Australian native pea plants. Such a huge variety of plants in such a relatively small area.”
Yet it was not the local plant life, occasional wallaby or even the bountiful birds that drew her to exploring the Ridge, but rather those usually ignored or misunderstood creatures of the bushland: beetles, hoverflies, bees, wasps and other native insects, which really captured Dr Shepherd’s attention.
Dr Virginia Shepherd explores her local bushland on Faulconbridge Ridge. (Photo: Gabiann Marin)
“You know they are really weird and beautiful,” Dr Shepherd enthuses, as she walks along the Ridge, stopping occasionally to take a digital snap of a tiny hovering insect or inspect the trail of an elusive beetle. Virginia’s enthusiasm is infectious as she rattles off the impossible sounding Latin names of the beetles, flies and bugs she encounters.
Macleay’s swallowtail, (Graphium macleayanum) foraging on Kunzea. (Photo by Dr V. Shepherd used with permission)
She speaks of other ‘finds’: jewel beetles whose glossy shells shine like rubies, emeralds and sapphires; a yellow and green metallic bee she became friendly with over several visits to his favourite flower bed, and of course, arguably her greatest discovery: a crimson and chrome insect sitting quietly on a flannel flower.
“It had a really striking striped abdomen and definitely an hymenopteran head, which (I thought) meant it was an ant, bee or wasp, or it could even have been a fly mimicking a bee. I’d never seen anything quite like it, so I took a whole series of really good quality photos of it taking pollen from this flannel flower. I hardly ever see bees on flannel flowers. So that was another thing that made me think it must be a wasp or a fly. But I honestly wasn’t sure what it was. It was so unusual.”
Thanks to the development of digital photography, the photographing and documentation of insects has become simple and effective, resulting in a huge rise in amateur entomologists across Australia. Dr Shepherd, who only really started getting into insects quite recently, and would never consider herself an expert on the insect world, has uploaded over 5000 photographs of different invertebrates on different internet and insect enthusiast groups, all taken around Faulconbridge Ridge, only metres from her home.
Dr Virginia Shepherd stops to take a photo at one of her favourite spots on the Faulconbridge Ridge. (Photo: Gabiann Marin)
“I just started wandering around, with the camera, seeing these creatures of absolute beauty. I suppose it’s the beauty that draws you in… the incredible nature of their construction. And with digital photography, of course, you can look at a photo and you can blow it up on a screen to the pixel kind of level, so you can see all these details; like these hoverflies, for example, with these incredible orange sensory organs like knobs poking out from their heads. It’s like science fiction, only you can’t make this stuff up.”
So of course, after finding and photographing her unusual find, Virginia started uploading the photographs of the unique crimson and yellow insect onto Facebook groups, and amateur entomology websites like iNaturalist and Bee Aware, asking if anyone had an idea of what the creature could be. No one could give her any answers until, one morning, she got a message from one of Australia’s most well-known and respected bee experts, Ken Walker – and his response blew her away.
“He was really emotional,” Dr Shepherd recalls, “because I had taken this photo of what he knows is an incredibly rare thing, which has not been captured in the 30 million records on iNaturalist and millions of records on Atlas of Living Australia.”
Walker explained that the insect was not a wasp, but actually a very rare type of bee, known as the Sericogaster fasciata, and that the last reported sighting of one was way back in the 1940’s. There had not been any record of a living one in over fifty years.
“And yet there it was, “ Dr Shepherd smiles, “just buzzing around Faulconbridge. Not extinct at all.”
The extremely rare Sericogaster fasciata bee was re-discovered by Dr Virginia Shepherd – over 50 years after it was last recorded. (Photo by Dr V. Shepherd used with permission)
Since this discovery, Dr Shepherd has continued to document the Ridge’s insect life through all the different seasons, noting not just unusual species, but documenting things like life cycles, fertility rates and differences in behaviour as weather patterns change across the region.
“I just became addicted to looking for things,” Dr Shepherd admits, laughing, “and every year, the same cycles begin to repeat. So you see the same things, but they are different. I was out there in winter, on the shortest day of the year, when everything felt very still and very quiet. If you don’t look closely it seems that there are no insects around at all, but you can still see the occasional hoverfly or spider spinning a web.”
“And there are buds on everything, there is this feeling of coiled energy just waiting to burst out. Insects will suddenly appear along with the flowers. That relationship between the insects and the flowers is 140 million years old, a kind of co-evolution, a knowledge of one another’s synchronous cycles that triggers flowering of plants and the emergence of larvae that nourishes eveything else on the planet.”
A native jewel beetle (Castiarina kirbyii) on a local flower, an example of a relationship which has been recurring for 140 million years. (Photo by Dr V. Shepherd used with permission)
While Faulconbridge Ridge may only be a small part of the greater bushland of the Mountains, Dr Shepherd’s observations and efforts to document this small patch of land can have big benefits for our ecosystem at large. Dr Kate Umbers, a local Entomology professor and advocate for invertebrates across Australia, believes that one of the primary issues facing our ecological future is the lack of understanding of insects and their life cycles.
Insects are the foundations of ecosystems and, citing problems like the current bee collapse crisis, Kate insists that by understanding what is going on in the tiny world of insects, we can have predictors of bigger issues, and potentially avoid larger ecological problems.
“But,” Dr Umbers warns, “there can be huge differences in insect populations from one year to the next. It’s not simple to predict or understand what might be a crisis in an insect community simply because we don’t have enough data about them in their natural habitats, [particularly] throughout their life cycles.”
“Important ecosystem functions can be lost long before the species are formally classified as endangered. You can get a year of huge numbers, but you can also get crashes. Because insects don’t live for a long time, population numbers bounce around a lot relative to the climate and the weather. So, they’re really seasonal and subject to changes in our weather and environmental systems.“
Amateur insect enthusiasts like Dr Virginia Shepherd are helping to fill in some of the gaps in knowledge that could end up providing us with real solutions and preventative strategies to combat ecological collapse threatened by climate change, as well as helping to establish more understanding and respect for the insects we rely on.
Dr Virginia Shepherd gains a great deal of personal satisfaction engaging with the bushland, the insects and the environment around her home. (Photo: Gabiann Marin)
And, Dr Shepherd believes, there is immense personal satisfaction and enjoyment to be had by anyone who sets out to document these animals.
“I feel I formed a kind of relationship with these creatures – I just love them. If I see a beautiful Castiarina Beetle in October, when they start to appear, I feel joy. You know, the same with bees. Native bees are much more difficult to photograph, so there’s a real sense of accomplishment, getting photos of them,“ Dr Shepherd reveals.
“And ultimately, as someone who wakes up in despair at night about what’s happening in terms of the climate catastrophe that’s unfolding in front of us, it’s consoling to find these beautiful creatures, living their lives, enjoying their flowers, and quietly making the world a better place.”
The green-gold carpenter bee, (Xylocopa aeratus), now thought to be extinct in Victoria and confined to the Sydney area, was photographed by Dr Shepherd in Faulconbridge. (Photo by Dr V. Shepherd used with permission)
Take Action:
Exploring your backyard, public spaces or nearby bushland for insects can be a great activity regardless of age or fitness level. Uploading your photographs and notes on sites like www.inaturalist.org, www.beeaware.org.au or Invertebrates Australia also helps scientists and climate activists protect and understand these amazing creatures.
Be aware of insect activity around any open area. Planting native flora in your garden can really help native insects of all types and contribute to a thriving ecosystem.
When out in bushland be insect aware and try not to destroy or harm insect habitats or the creatures themselves.
Avoid using pesticides and herbicides – particularly broad-spectrum types which kill every kind of insect in the vicinity. For alternative insect control check out the Invertebrates Australia website or our previous story on insect conservation here: Magical Creatures In The Garden
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Are you ready for the next bushfire, heatwave or flood? Why not take steps to prepare at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Award-winning Hempcrete designer Kirstie Wulf from @shelter.building.design will share 10 steps to build or renovate for sustainability and resilience; engineer Mark Liebman will share how you can build a green roof to reduce stormwater runoff and cool your building; Dr Agnieszka Wujeska-Klause will share research results on the most appropriate actions to lower heat in summer and help you use a thermal imaging camera to identify which surfaces retain the most heat; Frank Inzitari will introduce you to the @firehalo.au which can help reduce ember attack; and a team from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will work with you to use the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit to design your own personal bushfire plan. We`ll also be launching Firecoat`s new Bushfire Home Protection Kit. Learn more and register to attend here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many extraordinary volunteers keeping us and wildlife safe all year round! Come along and meet them at the Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 22nd Nov. Learn what you can do to be ready for emergencies, and how you can volunteer or help in some other way. Together we can be more prepared and reduce the risk of disaster. There`ll be a free sausage sizzle so help give us an idea of numbers by registering here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Thank you Blue Mountains community for the generous donation of 11 sewing machines which we`ll be using for our free sewing workshop with Boomerang Bags at the Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 November at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. It`s an opportunity for the whole family to make free Christmas presents that `don`t cost the earth`! Register here if you`d like to attend (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (and you`ll get a free fire retardant plant from Santa while you`re there!)
Did you know that Australia has the world`s highest incidence of asbestos-related diseases per capita in the world, killing more than 4,000 Australians every year - three times more than the annual road toll; and that asbestos-related deaths are predicted to rise! Asbestos isn’t just in fibro homes and sheds - it was used in the manufacture of more than 3000 asbestos containing products with many of these products remaining in any brick, fibro, weatherboard, clad home or apartment built or renovated before 1990. Asbestos was used everywhere in homes - lurking under floor coverings including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, garages, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even in dog kennels. Exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations has been linked to 51% of mesothelioma deaths. There is no cure for mesothelioma. The average survival time following diagnosis is just 10-12 months. Homeowners, renovators and tradies are most at risk of exposure if they disturb asbestos containing materials. On Saturday 22 November, “Betty – The Asbestos Education House” will be a prominent feature of the Blue Mountains City Council’s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo to help educate local homeowners and tradies about the dangers of asbestos that remains lurking in 1-in-3 Aussie homes including many throughout the Blue Mountains region as part of National Asbestos Awareness Month (November). There will also be workshops and stalls on asbestos and a range of other hazardous materials and how you can manage them to protect youreself, your family and your community. Find out more and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Emily from @handsheartfeet will be leading a free drumming workshop at the Planetary Health Centre Expo and Family Day in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. It`s suitable for all ages and so much fun! Places are limited so reserve your spot here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (link in profile)
The Planetary Health newsletter is now out! Read it here: https://bit.ly/4o1FflK (link in profile)
It includes: • Expo and Family Day on Nov 22 • A Story of Purpose & Mental Health with Rotarian Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute on Nov 29 • How to Use a Sewing Machine Workshop on Nov 29 • Qigong, Upper Mountains Seed Saving & Gardening Group and Planetary Health Bushcare on Dec 6 • Legalising human composting as a sustainable death care option in NSW • The Climate Risk and Adaptation Plan for the Blue Mountains
Gabiann has worked as in-house writer/editor for Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Médecins Sans Frontières across Australia, Africa and the Asia Pacific. She is an award winning novelist and children’s book author, having won or been shortlisted for several Australian and international writing prizes. She was one of the key designers and the writer of the award-winning multimedia interactive narrative, Kids Together Now, which focuses on helping children deal with issues around bullying and racism.
In addition to her role as storyteller for the Planetary Health Initiative, she tutors in narrative and writing at Macquarie University and works as a writer, story developer and script producer.
The concept of planetary health is rapidly gaining attention globally, as the world increasingly confronts the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation, climate change, and public health crises. But what does the term 'planetary health' really mean, and why does it matter?
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