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.
Social enterprise @farmitforward is working to increase local food security one backyard after another, and with young people at Katoomba High School. At the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 Oct, co-founder Manu Prigioni will speak about Incorporating equity and nutrition security in discussions on food security: Farm It Forward’s response to the National Food Security Strategy document. Reserve your spot for her presentation here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nOSJle Read more about Manu and Farm it Forward in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/46PTAfF
Join seed saver extraordinaire Lloyd Sharp, from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers, as we launch the Upper Blue Mountains Seed Saving and Gardening group at the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October. Lloyd will share some of his extensive seed saving experience, and there will be an opportunity to purchase and share local seeds and plants. Huge thanks to Happy Valley Seeds for donating heirloom seeds and discount cards, and to @thediggersclub for generously donating Vegetable and Flower Sowing Guides and their 2025/2026 Heirloom Seed Annual. There will be one for every attendee! The Food Security Fair is being held at the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba and the Seed Saving presentation is at 10.20am. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Nev Sweeney, renowned permaculture teacher and practitioner, from Under the Choko Tree, will be leading a workshop on how to build and use a solar food dehydrator at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 Oct. Nev will talk about why food dehydration is a good idea, some techniques that can be used to dry food, pretreat or not to pretreat, general tips and considerations about food drying, drying fruit and veg, testing for dryness and using dried produce. He will explain how he made a simple direct solar food dryer and a more complex indirect solar food dryer. Reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Planetary Health volunteer, American permaculture teacher Susan Krings, has been helping to organise the inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair. If you`d like to learn more about volunteering at the Centre email planetaryhealth@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or ring 0407 437 553
You can purchase tickets for the Food Security Fair in Katoomba on Saturday 18 October here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-sec...
The day will include stalls, talks and demos about growing, sourcing, cooking, preserving and enjoying plant based food and protecting habitat for wildlife. The event is part of a series celebrating the centenary of World Animal Day.
The fabulous line up of speakers and workshop tutors includes Dr Milena Bojovic on the Future of Food; Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku and author of `Ferment`; Michael from Good Fat Pastry; Nev Sweeney from Under the Choko Tree on how to build a Solar Powered Food Dehydrator; Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers; Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast; Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired; and Erin Hall on Weaving with Weeds and Manu Prigioni from Farm it Forward.
Stalls will include EarthRising Mushroom Farm, Bibi`s Kitchen, edible native plants, the Planetary Health Cafe and more.
Each session needs to be booked individually as numbers are strictly limited.
This event is being supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association for Environmental Education.
At the Food Security Fair on Sat 18th October the inspiring Teya Brooks Pribac, author of ‘Not Just Another Vegan Cookbook’ and founder of Plant Inspired, will be sharing innovative but very simple culinary techniques that can help you make delicious icecream, ‘egg` sandwiches and a wide range of cheeses without any eggs or dairy. Food that’s healthier for you and the planet. You no longer need to worry if the supermarket shelves suddenly don’t have eggs, or if you can’t afford them! There are so many cooking techniques that can help us create our favourite foods, without requiring animal products! The session will end with one of Teya’s fabulous cheese tastings. Bookings essential for this fascinating workshop here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
This event is one of a series celebrating the centenary of @worldanimalday @ph_alliance
In Marnee Fox’s session on Wild Edibles at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October, she’ll share how to incorporate wild ingredients into your every day diet AND make it delicious. Marnee Fox is a sustainable interior decorator, stylist, foodie and weed convert. She`s also one half of Forage to Feast Australia with husband, renowned environmental educator Diego Bonetto. Building on Diego`s much-loved weed foraging workshops, Marnee takes the food found on the foraging tour to the table. Bookings essential (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
If you haven`t yet tried the deliciousness of Good Fat Pastry you`ll be in for a treat at the Food Security Fair on Sat 18 October! Join Michael, the creative baker producing these mouthwatering plant based (and mostly gluten free) treats for breakfast, where he will inspire you to rethink everything you know about baking:
"Baking is both borne and constrained by convention—as are our expectations. Since Ancient Egypt and Rome, eggs, dairy, and cereals have been used in baked goods for flavour and functionality. The enormity of cakes, pastries, biscuits, and desserts we know and love—and the countless we have no awareness of—have been discovered and created through spontaneity and experimentation. Almost always resting on the magical transformations of these key ingredients under heat and energy.
Yet as the realm of food is one of creativity and sensory inquisitiveness there are inherent possibilities for alternatives—in replicating the familiar as well as creating novelty. This path can follow the complexities of molecular gastronomy or the simple pragmatism of substituting with what`s on hand. Find whatever works for you."
Spaces are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
One of the highlights of our Food Security Fair on Sat 18th October is our Weaving with Weeds workshop at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. In this relaxing and enjoyable workshop Erin Hall will help you identify common invasive weeds that are ideal for basket making, and teach you the basic skills to weave a range of different objects. At the same time you`ll be removing and repurposing weeds that are destroying habitat for our wildlife! Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
We’re thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for Ferment the Season with Holly Davis at the Blue Mountains Food Security Fair on Saturday 18th October at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Holly will demonstrate how to ferment the season to create more nutrient rich and digestible food. She is the co-founder of Sydney’s Iku Wholefoods and author of ‘Ferment - A Guide to the Ancient Art of Culturing Food’ and ’Nourish: Sustenance for Body and Soul”. Learn the foundational principles and several techniques for fermenting seasonally abundant produce. Fermentation increases nutrition and eating a little ferment with every meal has unlimited benefits for our overall wellbeing and the planet! Places are limited so book early here (Food Security Fair link in profile for tickets): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
Thank you to everyone who so generously contributed to our celebration of the centenary of World Animal Day, and our tribute to the life of artist, poet, author, Animal Liberation founder, and animal rights activist, Christine Townend, at the Planetary Health Centre yesterday. At a packed event we feasted on delicious plant-based food, inspiring art and poetry, and memorable conversations, as we shared our love and respect for the extraordinary world of animals of which we are a part. Join us for further celebrations at our Food Security Fair on Saturday 18 October. Register here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
We`re thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for our inaugural Blue Mountains Food Security Fair at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 18 October! Register here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/food-security-fair-or-planetary-health-initiative
The day will include stalls, talks and demos about growing, sourcing, cooking, preserving and enjoying plant based food and protecting habitat for wildlife.
Our fabulous line up of speakers and workshop tutors includes Dr Milena Bojovic on the Future of Food; Holly Davis, co-founder of Iku and author of `Ferment`; Michael from Good Fat Pastry; Nev Sweeney from Under the Choko Tree on how to build a Solar Powered Food Dehydrator; Lloyd Sharp from Mid Blue Mountains Seed Savers; Marnee Fox from Forage to Feast; Teya Brooks Pribac from Plant Inspired; and Erin Hall on Weaving with Weeds. Stalls will include EarthRising Mushroom Farm, edible native plants, the Planetary Health Cafe and more. Each session needs to be booked individually as numbers are strictly limited.
This event is being supported by a sEEd grant from the Australian Association for Environmental Education.
This Saturday 4 Oct, on the centenary of World Animal Day, you can meet other people passionate about protecting our wild neighbours, and contribute to restoring habitat for wildlife with them, by coming along and joining our dedicated team of Planetary Health Bushcarers as we regenerate the bushland at the Planetary Health Precinct. Learn more and register to attend (1.30pm) here: (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-bushcare-spring-summer-2025
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.
Springwood resident Phillip Birtles believes that there is an essential connection between people and water. Through his work at Sydney Water, he taps into that connection, strengthening it and contributing to healthier, happier communities while simultaneously improving waterway health.
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