Un-bee-lievable: Long-vanished giant bee spotted again
Hopefully this doesn't sting the insectophobes too badly, but the world's largest bee has been seen for the first time in decades.
The aptly and terrifyingly-named Wallace's Giant Bee (Megachile Pluto) has been sighted again in Indonesia, setting the scientific community abuzz.
Wallace's Giant Bee (pictured compared to a European honeybee) has been rediscovered in Indonesia. AAP
It is the first time the bug has been spotted since 1981.
"Amid such a well-documented global decline in insect diversity it's wonderful to discover that this iconic species is still hanging on," Simon Robson, a member of the team which found the first specimens, and professor at the University of Sydney, said.
University of Sydney Professor Simon Robson with a captured bee. AAP
Female specimens of the bee can reach a length of 3.8cm and have a wingspan of more than 6cm, while males grow to about 2.3cm.
But don't BEE scared (sorry, we're done now) - they're not likely to be found in Australia.
