Australian scientists have discovered a new native bee species with tiny horns - and given it a suitably devilish name.
Researchers found the Megachile Lucifer while observing a rare wildflower that only grows in the Bremer Ranges in Western Australia's Goldfields region, 470km (292 miles) east of Perth.
The highly distinctive, prominent horns are only on the female bee and may be used as a defence mechanism, to gather pollen or nectar, or to collect materials such as resin for nests.
The study's lead scientist said she was inspired to use the name Lucifer as she was watching the Netflix show of the same name at the time. She adds it is the first new member of this bee group in 20 years.
The female had these incredible little horns on her face, said Dr Kit Prendergast from Curtin University.
When writing up the new species description I was watching the Netflix show Lucifer at the time, and the name just fit perfectly. I am also a huge fan of the Netflix character Lucifer so it was a no-brainer.
Lucifer - which means light bringer in Latin - is also a reference to shining light on the need for better conservation of native bee species and greater understanding of how endangered plants are pollinated, she said.
The report, published in the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, called for formal protection of the area where the new bee species and rare wildflowers were found due to potential habitat disturbance and climate change effects.
Many mining companies do not include native bees in their environmental assessments, highlighting a risk of losing critical plant-supporting species before their existence is even recognized.
