Taxonomy & Citizen Science Through The Eyes Of A Beekeeper

I’m not a scientist. In fact, growing up, I was far more interested in dancing, singing, drawing, and making all sorts of cool stuff with my Janome sewing machine. Nature was something I loved, but I didn’t really think too deeply about it. However, as I’ve gotten older my curiosity about the world around me has taken a whole new path. Now, one thing that fascinates me is biodiversity and how we can look after the amazing living things all around us.

It all started when I became a beekeeper. I had to think more about what the bees needed to survive and, suddenly, I became more aware of the plants and animals around the beehive. At first, I didn’t think about how everything fit together. I’d spot a flowering gum tree, a sunflower or a European wasp, but I wasn’t thinking; Corymbia Ficifolia, Helianthus Annuus, or Vespula Vulgaris.

That all changed when I started using iNaturalist to track the biodiversity on our farm. Suddenly, I was stepping into a whole new world of learning! The scientific names gave me a fresh lens through which to view the natural world. And because iNaturalist is a global platform, I realised that Latin names are a universal language across all regions and scientific communities. That's one of the greatest strengths of Citizen Science - it unites and harnesses the power of a global community of nature enthusiasts.

Making an observation on iNaturalist is very easy!

But Wait - What About Common Names?

I’ll admit, I still use common names! I’m not about to give up calling a dog “dog” or a sunflower “sunflower.” But as I observe more and more biodiversity, particularly lesser-known species, I’ve come to realise something interesting: Most classified organisms don’t have common names!

While many familiar animals and plants have widely recognised common names, the majority of species - especially microorganisms, insects, fungi, and deep-sea creatures are only identified by their scientific names.

Why Do Some Organisms Lack Common Names?

• Limited Human Interaction: Many species are so obscure or live in areas we don’t often visit - deep-sea creatures for example! so they don’t have widely recognized names.

• High Biodiversity: With over 2 million classified species, it’s just not practical to assign common names to all of them.

• Scientific Precision: Some species look so alike that a general name would be misleading - thousands of beetles, for example, look almost identical.

• Regional Naming Variations: Different areas and languages often have different names for the same species, so scientific names offer global consistency.

Bandidus canifrons - an insect with relatively few observations in iNaturalist. This one came into our shed at the farm when we were working late one night

What Is Taxonomy?

Taxonomy is the science of classifying and naming organisms. It’s like a giant filing system for the natural world! Taxonomy helps scientists organise living things based on their characteristics and evolutionary relationships. It follows a hierarchical structure, from broad categories (like kingdoms eg Plants, Animals, Fungi etc) down to specific ones (like species). This classification helps us understand where different species fit into the broader picture of life on Earth.

Whenever I try to identify a species on iNaturalist, I always check the Taxonomy tab to see how far I’ve come in figuring out where the species fits in the big classification puzzle. The goal, of course, is to get all the way to the species level!

So, What Does Taxonomy Look Like for Bees? 🐝

Bees are a great example of how taxonomy works. Here's a quick guide to the taxonomic hierarchy for bees, from the highest level all the way down to the specific species level:

• Kingdom: Animalia (all animals)

• Phylum: Arthropoda (invertebrates with segmented bodies, exoskeletons, and jointed legs)

• Class: Insecta (six-legged arthropods)

• Order: Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps, and sawflies)

• Superfamily: Apoidea (bees and some wasp relatives)

• Family: Apidae (the largest bee family, including honey bees, bumblebees, stingless bees, and carpenter bees)

Genus: (some examples)

• Apis – Honey bees

• Bombus – Bumblebees

• Tetragonula – Stingless bees

• Xylocopa – Carpenter bees

Species: (some examples)

• Apis mellifera – European honey bee

• Bombus terrestris – Buff-tailed bumblebee

• Tetragonula carbonaria – Australian native stingless bee

• Xylocopa violacea – Violet carpenter bee

  
  

This is just a quick peek with some examples. There are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide, and in Australia, we have over 2,000 species! That’s a lot of buzzing biodiversity to keep track of. 🐝

Australia is home to around 14 species of blue-banded bees in the genus Amegilla. These native bees are known for their vibrant blue stripes and their role in buzz pollination, which helps pollinate crops like tomatoes and blueberries.

Pronunciation Challenge!

Okay, I admit it - I still find myself Googling how to pronounce Latin names and I rarely get them right. However, YouTube is a great help!

Thankfully, we have so many resources to help us learn about the biodiversity that is all around us. I can be standing on top of hill, 5km up a 4WD track and be able to whip out my smartphone to make an observation in iNaturalist. It's very empowering! The more I learn, the more motivated I am to do my part in protecting the planet and building habitats on our farm to support biodiversity.

Get Involved in Citizen Science!

The beauty of citizen science is that you don’t need to be a scientist to contribute! Whether it’s using an app like iNaturalist, identifying species, or participating in a bioblitz event, everyone can play a part in recording the biodiversity around us.

If you’re curious about how you can start recording biodiversity and become a citizen scientist, Friends with Honey offers workshops on just that! From using apps like iNaturalist to running your very own bioblitz event, we’ll guide you through it all - and have a great time in the process!

Ready to become a citizen scientist? Get in touch with us today, and let’s get started!

The Joy of Storytelling and the Magic of Bees

Storytelling is such an important part of childhood.  It sparks imagination, fosters connection, and imparts lessons that stay with us for a lifetime.  For me, the magic of storytelling began with the birth of my son.  From the very first day he came home from the hospital, books became a cornerstone of our bonding time.  Born in Vancouver, Canada, he was welcomed into the world with a pack of children’s books, a thoughtful gift from the Canadian Government to all new born children at the time.  From classics like The Gruffalo and The Hungry Caterpillar to Possum Magic and Pig the Pug, we’ve read and re-read thousands of stories together over the years.  Perhaps it was these cherished moments that inspired my passion for creating stories of my own.

When I launched my early years program, it felt like the perfect time to write my very own children’s book. Naturally, it had to be about bees!  The result was The Bee Bop Waggle Dance, a whimsical tale that introduces children to the fascinating world of bees through the eyes of a lovable character named Jazzy.

The Bee-Bop Waggle Dance Book, by Friends with Honey

Meet Jazzy and Her Waggle Dance Adventure

Jazzy is a worker bee at Honey Headquarters, where she loves to watch her sisters perform their waggle dances.  But when Jazzy tries to dance herself, her knees freeze, and she struggles to share her adventures. The waggle dance is a crucial part of bee communication, as it helps bees direct their hive-mates to where the best flowers grow.  Jazzy’s story unfolds when she discovers a magnificent sunflower and becomes determined to tell her sisters where to find it.  With the help of the creatures on my farm - a gecko, a praying mantis, some chickens, and even my lazy bulldog - Jazzy embarks on a journey of self-discovery and courage.

While The Bee Bop Waggle Dance is a charming fantasy, it’s rooted in real-life bee behavior. The story teaches children about emotions, perseverance, self-belief and the joy of overcoming obstacles.  It’s a tale that resonates with young readers as they cheer for Jazzy and learn valuable life lessons along the way.

The Real Life Lazy Bulldog - Gus

Bringing the Story into Real Life

Reading this book to children is always a great joy.  Designed for ages 3-7, it captures their imaginations while introducing them to the world of bees.  After reading, I love to engage children in a conversation about how they can help bees in real life.  Planting flowering plants is a simple yet impactful action, and I often bring sunflower seeds for the class to plant.  Together, we imagine a day when their sunflowers bloom, and bees like Jazzy come to visit.

Bees Visiting Some Real Life Sunflowers

Friends with Honey Bee Incursion Program

If you’re an early years educator seeking to captivate your class with the magic of bees, consider booking a Friends with Honey Bee Incursion. Tailored for kindergarten and preschool children aged 3-7, this one-hour program is an energetic blend of singing, dancing, and storytelling.  Of course, it features The Bee Bop Waggle Dance as a central highlight.

Through this interactive experience, children not only learn about bee behavior but also develop a deeper appreciation for these incredible pollinators. They’ll discover how they can contribute to creating a bee-friendly environment, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship from a young age.

Let’s Inspire the Next Generation of Nature Stewards

Whether through storytelling, planting sunflower seeds, or dancing like Jazzy the bee, every small step helps children connect with nature and understand the importance pollinators in our ecosystem.

Ready to bring this buzzing adventure to your classroom? Contact Friends with Honey today to book your Bee Incursion Program and join the Bee Bop Waggle Dance.  Together, let’s inspire the next generation of Nature Stewards to protect and cherish our pollinator friends!

An Insect with a Superhero Name: Meet the Hercules Robber Fly

Flies often get a bad rap in Australia.  On a warm, sunny day, they seem to be everywhere. Walk around a farm, and you might find yourself hosting a small island of flies hitching a free ride on your back. Annoying?  Absolutely.  But as much as we might swat and swear at them, flies play an incredibly important role in our environment.  They’re the unsung heroes of nutrient recycling, predation, and parasitoid activity.  And believe it or not, they’re the second most significant pollinator species after bees!  Perhaps it’s time we re frame flies as superheroes of the insect world.

Neoaratus hercules - a member of Robber Flies Family Asilidae

The Day Hercules Visited

A few months ago, while installing solar panels near our shed, I heard a deep, droning buzz – a sound that can make even the bravest among us pause.  Moments later, I spotted the source: a massive insect perched on one of the panels.  Naturally, I grabbed my phone, took a photo, and uploaded it to my iNaturalist account.  The verdict?  I had encountered none other than the Hercules Robber Fly. How cool is that?  A fly with a name straight out of a comic book!

The Hercules Robber Fly is aptly named. Hercules, the legendary hero of Greek and Roman mythology, was renowned for his strength and bravery in battling ferocious animals and monsters.  Similarly, this insect is a giant among flies, measuring up to 4 centimeters in length. For comparison, a European honeybee worker is a mere 1.5 centimeters long.  Hercules Robber Flies are not just impressive in size; they’re also fearsome predators, earning their "robber fly" status through their aggressive hunting tactics. These flies ambush their prey mid-flight, targeting other insects – including honeybees. No wonder they seem to enjoy hanging around our farm!

European Honey Worker Bee - only about 1.5 cm in length

A New Perspective

Since learning more about the Hercules Robber Fly, I’ve stopped feeling quite so terrified when I see one. Instead, I marvel at their role in maintaining ecological balance. They may have a fearsome reputation, but they’re also vital players in the ecological balance on our farm.

Become a Citizen Scientist

If this story has sparked your curiosity about the natural world, why not dive deeper? Our Citizen Science Workshop offers an exciting opportunity to explore and record biodiversity in your local area. You’ll learn to use tools like iNaturalist to document species and contribute to conservation efforts. Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or a curious beginner, this program will inspire you to see the world with fresh eyes and make a meaningful impact on our planet.