- The key difference is native bees are mainly solitary rather than living in social colonies.
- Each female can reproduce; they collect nectar and pollen, build a nest, lay an egg on it, close up the nest and then leave.
- Some do live in groups of 3-10 and provide some degree of care to their offspring.
- There are 11 species of ‘sugarbag’ bees in Australia that live in colonies like honeybees, with a queen and her daughters and workers.