Blue banded bee

Blue banded bees are native to Australia. There are 14 known species and are not rare so it's a mystery to me why I've only begun to see them recently. We have at the front of the house a vigorous Egyptian star cluster plant which is covered in flowers and there are several of these bees buzzing around it. 

Blue banded bees do buzz pollination ie they hold onto the flower and rapidly move their flight muscles, causing the anthers to vibrate and release their pollen. Some flowers rely on buzz pollinators. 

This morning I stood on the footpath with my camera and macro lens in the hope of photographing one. It was frustrating as they really do flit about. Then the  one in my photo landed on a flower and I thought here's my chance but it flew away just as I snapped so instead I caught it in flight. I will persist.

Thanks for hosting loisbiz.