My very first Blue banded bee!!!
The native headbanger/buzz polinator Amegilla cingulata.
Snapped here on the long blooming & edible perennial Red Valerian/Kiss me quick/Jupiters beard Centranthus ruber.
Blue banded bees are quality pollinators to solanaceae crops in particular (Tomatoes, chillis, potatoes and my little aubergine). These very cute (and very speedy) solitary bees, have a penchant for blue & purple flowers. But then.. don’t we all.
Much thanks to the inspiringly beautiful Heronswood gardens Vic AUST












