While we feel the urge to hibernate or at least retreat inside when the temperatures drop, there are many native pollinators that continue their work in the cooler months to ensure plants, including food plants, are germinated and flourish. Research has found that the native stingless Tetragonula carbonaria bee instinctively knows that 18ºC is the point at which it’s indoors’ time - however, above that and especially in the warmer parts of Australia, it continues to fly and pollinate.
And there are many Australian pollinators that continue working through the colder months to ensure that a diverse range of fruit and vegetables continues to grow across all seasons of the year.
So as we indulge in the modern take on hibernation – binge-watching TV under bundles of blankets and snacking our way through the gloomy season – let’s express some gratitude for the native bees quietly responsible for many of those very snacks.
MACADAMIA NUTS
Macadamia nuts have become a staple in desserts given their nutty and buttery flavour. Additionally, their high oil content also makes them a popular ingredient in skincare products that treat dry winter skin.
The macadamia tree (Macadamia integrifolia) is native to the subtropical climates of Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland. While each tree grows approximately 2500 flowers, only 5 per cent of these flowers will mature into the nuts we know and love. From May until September, these fully-matured nuts will fall to the ground to be collected and packaged by local farmers.
Before European settlement, macadamia trees relied on native stingless bees to cross-pollinate effectively. The Tetragonula family of bees, particularly the beloved Sugarbag Bees (Tetragonula carbonaria), have been nurturing macadamia trees for thousands of years. These tiny bees are also crucial for pollinating summer fruit crops like mangoes and papayas.
Macadamia flowers are small and their pollen is too sticky for wind-borne pollination to be effective and so insect pollination is essential to ensuring high nut yields. CSIRO research estimates that 150 bee visits are required to fully pollinate each flower spray.
To meet the growing demand for macadamia nuts, many farmers are now fostering native bee habitats alongside managed western honey bees. This dual approach boosts pollination rates across the entire orchard.
The macadamia farming industry is well-respected in Australia for championing regenerative farming practices and for prioritising beneficial insects and native bee populations. Certain farmers even use barn owls instead of harmful pesticides to manage pests.
So, next time you eat a white chocolate and macadamia nut biscuit, say thanks to the native bee species that have been supporting macadamia trees for thousands of years.
NATIVE ROSEMARY
Winter is the perfect time to swap the Mediterranean rosemary you’re used to for flavouring many dishes with Australia’s own native varieties.
Native rosemary tends to have a stronger scent and flavour, and while the introduced species is best harvested in summer, Australian varieties thrive during the cooler months.
Two of the more prolific varieties currently in season are coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) and grevillea rosemary (Grevillea rosmarinifolia).
Grevillea rosemary is found in Victoria and in Southern NSW. It grows naturally in woodlands near streams and on moist slopes, and flowers from August until December. The dense and prickly foliage provides refuge to small birds such as fairywrens and finches. When the grevillea bush flowers, sweet nectar attracts a plethora of pollinators including native birds such as honeyeaters and lorikeets, and bees, butterflies and other insects.
Coastal rosemary, as the name suggests, hugs the coastline of Eastern Australia. The plant is known for being versatile and tolerant of varying weather conditions. Coastal rosemary flowers bloom throughout the year producing nectar-rich flowers that attract pollinators. In particular, these flowers are loved by Blue-Banded Bees (Amegilla cingulata) and Teddy Bear Bees (Amegilla bombiformis).
Traditionally used by Indigenous communities as a natural insect repellent, native rosemary brings ecological benefits to your garden by promoting native pollination. As an added bonus, the herb packs a more flavourful punch in the kitchen for winter roasts and herby potatoes!
NATIVE BEES AND NON-NATIVE PRODUCE
Whilst native pollinators have a strong preference for native plants like Macadamia trees or coastal rosemary bushes, they are also vital players in the farming of introduced produce.
Did you know that 1 in every 3 pollinators visiting South Australian pear orchards are native to Australia? Pears grown in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia are most commonly pollinated by the western honey bee; however, the native Furrow Bees (Lasioglossum lanarium) are also incredibly significant to pear harvest yields. Other important native pollinators include native silk bees, and the Scoliid family of solitary wasps.
Furrow bees are also vital pollinators for apple trees across Australia, with native bees making up more than half of all pollinators visiting apple orchards. It’s currently the season for Kanzi apples, which are known for their tangy flavour and crisp bite, and we have both Furrow and Reed Bees to thank for their successful pollination.
Reed Bees (Exoneura sp.) are dominant pollinators at certain sites in Victoria and Tasmania. Measuring less than 1cm in length, these tiny native bees often share nests, with two or more adults dividing tasks and burrowing into the stems of fern fronds.
Persimmons are mainly pollinated by bees and, to a lesser extent, require native bees to cross-pollinate. Native to China, persimmon trees produce flowers that have been observed to be more attractive to western bees, perhaps because of the shape or nectar produced. Nevertheless, native stingless bee species from the Trigona family love visiting persimmon orchards given the trees’ great abundance of flowers.
Persimmons are grown in the southern subtropical regions of Queensland and temperate inland areas of NSW. Recently, irregularly warmer winter conditions have extended the harvest season for persimmon from mid-June to late July.
HOME GARDENING TRICKS FOR WINTER PRODUCE
If you’re looking to boost native pollinator populations in your own garden – whether to increase fruiting, to promote native insect populations, or to support local biodiversity – consider planting companion plants that may attract these native bee species!
Tetragonula bees are particularly drawn to white, yellow and purple flowers and are known for pollinating native orchid species. On the other hand, the Blue-banded bee is particularly fond of lavender and native rosemary as they are compact hardy shrubs that have prolonged flowering periods and produce plenty of nectar.
If you are curious about what plants are loved by native bees, check out this resource by the Australian Native Bee Research Centre.
Article by Tash Lai