‘Solitary bee’ species was recently discovered in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
Q. A new bee species called ‘solitary bee’ species was recently discovered in- Published on 27 Jan 16a. Agastyamalai Biosphere Reserve
b. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
c. Nandadevi National Park
d. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
ANSWER: Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
A ‘solitary bee’ species was recently discovered in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve. The 6.2-mm-long bee, named Braunsapis chandrai , is black in colour and has punctured legs. What makes it distinct from other species of solitary bees is the different patterns of the marks on its face and frontal region. The 96 species of bees of the genus Braunsapis do not make combs as common honeybees do. Solitary in nature, they nest in stems and twigs independently. Scientists have collected the specimen of the species, a holotype male from Dabanki in the Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve. The new species plays a significant role in pollination.
