Cuckoo bees, in the genus Thyreus, are found across mainland Australia. Their vibrant neon blue or white markings, which are chequered, spotted or striped, make these pollinators hard to miss.

But it’s not just the Cuckoo bee’s appearance that stands out. Cuckoo bees are kleptoparasites: they lay their eggs in the nests of other bees, tricking them into feeding their young. Cuckoo bees often target the Banded Amegilla because both belong to the same family, Apidae.

Once hatched, the Cuckoo bee larva consumes the food meant for the host’s offspring, leaving the host larva to starve.

Despite their sneaky behaviour, the Cuckoo bees’ striking appearance contributes to the amazing beauty of Australia’s native bees.