WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WALLACE'S GIANT BEE?

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WALLACE'S GIANT BEE?

The world's biggest bee has been found after it was thought that the species had become extinct as the last time a specimen was spotted was in 1981. Known as Wallace's giant bee - which is as long as an adult's thumb - was found on a little-explored Indonesian island

With an estimated maximum wingspan of two and a half inches Wallace’s Giant Bee is the largest bee on Earth. 

The species was first discovered by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859. 

It was believed extinct until it was rediscovered in 1981 by American researcher Adam Messer.

He found six nests on the island of Bacan and other nearby islands, but the species was lost to science again that same year.

A 1984 paper touched on the life history of the bee which exhibits uncommon communal behaviour, forgoing life in a hive. 

Preserved specimens of the species have cropped up in private collection over the years, most recently in 1991.

None had been found alive until wildlife photographer Clay Bolt made public his finding of a solitary female of the species in February 2019.

Its rediscovery offers the possibility of greater insight into the life of this fascinating creature.