African Carder bee, Afranthidium (Immanthidium) repetitum (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): A new exotic species for Victoria

Abstract

In December 2014, the African Carder bee Afranthidium (Immanthidium) repetitum was collected from a garden in the Melbourne suburb of Kew. This is the first record of this exotic species for Victoria. First introduced to Australia in south-east Queensland in 2000, the species has undergone a massive range expansion since this time. The introduction of this bee may result in the proliferation and spread of environmental weeds in Victoria, and ongoing monitoring is required to determine the extent of its distribution. Behavioural observations are required to determine the potential impacts it may have on native bee and weed populations.