“Australian Native Bees Inspired By Hoefnagel” - Card
Australian native fauna
Reproduced from an original watercolour painting by Cheryl Hodges
Greeting card 10 x 15cm, blank inside with white envelope
Text on reverse of card reads:
Australia has over 1500 species of native bees. Interest in native bees is increasing amongst nature lovers, but many people are still not aware of them, nor realise the well known honey bee is European. By channelling the nostalgic style of Joris Hoefnagel, the Flemish artist from the 16th century, it is hoped to entice a closer look at these species, endemic to the area
where I live near Canberra. By increasing the knowledge and awareness of insects, and bees in particular, an understanding of the important role our local species play in our ecology will grow. Hopefully this will ultimately result in the decreasing use of pesticides and the planting of more local species to encourage these fascinating and beneficial visitors to our garden.
The bees are: Amegilla asserta, Megachile maculariformis, Lassiogossum chilactus, Thyreus caeruleopunctatus, Hylaeus sp.
The plants are: Hardenbergia violacea, Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides, Callistemon sp.