tristantas's Journal
Sightings in Newnham suggest bee has naturalised and spread throughout launceston.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/202227238
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/199150283
Recently (03/04/24) was informed of regular sightings in Wattle Hill, South West Tasmania.
First confirmed observation in Hobart
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/195353535
This confirms my suspicions that they have likely spread across the state
One from facebook (date TBA) in prospect vale
One in South Launceston
01/12/2023
First reports of observations are coming in through online sources (iNat and Tasmanian Insect ans Spiders facebook page)
I have seen one (at the possible origin site and site of first confirmed ID) fleetingly, and was unable to photograph.
Today, (Morty Berd) a facebook user told me of several he has seen on the wing at his property for roughly 3 weeks, today he captured male and female specimens.
After the first confirmed sighting of Anthidium manicatum (by me) on 4th of march 2022 (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107864391) and the capture of male and female specimens for NRE, I took it upon myself, to track its spread across the launceston region. Side note: It was this observation and the week of investigations and collaboration with NRE (biosecurity) that ignited a passion for naturalism. It it thought the vector of entry was the new house that was built next door, likely the timber or cladding shipped from interstate contained a nest/s.
In the year since A. maniccatum has been observed on iNat by two other individuals. One was not far from the original observation point (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/146390919). The other was much further afield in St. Leonards (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/147559951).
There have been several observations on the Tasmanian insects and Spiders facebook, with one in West Launceston and another (at least) at an undisclosed location.
Once i figure out how I am going to properly log this data i.e. not a phone note pad app. I hope to be able to see some patterns and track any possible negative implications for our natives.
So far, in our garden at least, I have not noticed any negative effects on our native or honey bee populations. If anything there are higher number and more species, this is likely due to the nature of the garden.
Feel free to let me know of other observations
