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South-west Short-tongued Bee (Glossurocolletes bilobatus)

Glossurocolletes bilobatus is a short-tongued bee in the family Colletidae, known from a small number of Western Australian record locations. Its habitat and life history are poorly known, so works-site assessments should treat suitable bee habitat cautiously. It is listed as Priority 2 on the WA DBCA priority fauna list, a DBCA priority category and not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Conservation status

Western Australia, WA Threatened and Priority Fauna List: Priority 2.

Seasonal information

Species-specific activity and breeding months are unknown. Treat seasonal survey timing as a planning decision, not a known feature of this bee.

Known timing: No seasonal activity, breeding or movement period is documented.

No timing in this profile should be interpreted as a confirmed seasonal pattern for Glossurocolletes bilobatus.

  • Survey planning: Planning window only. No species-specific months are known; consult a bee ecologist and consider site conditions when scheduling survey work.

Identification: Appearance and size

Glossurocolletes bilobatus is a short-tongued bee, but field-level diagnostic details are not documented.

Glossurocolletes bilobatus is a bee in the short-tongued bee group and family Colletidae. Its colour, body form, diagnostic features and size have not been documented.

  • Do not identify the species from size or appearance using this profile alone.

Identification: Similar species and field signs

Similar species and distinguishing features have not been documented for this bee.

No species-specific field signs, such as a nest or burrow, are recorded. Document any bee observed on site without assuming it is this species.

Distribution: Known range

Glossurocolletes bilobatus is known from a limited number of Western Australian record locations, but named collection localities are not available.

Atlas of Living Australia records show 26 Western Australian records in three distinct 0.1-degree locations, spanning latitude -32 to -27.6 and longitude 114.3 to 116. Records outside Western Australia were excluded as likely errors.

No named locality or exact record coordinates are available.

Distribution: WA regions and status

The DBCA list flags the South Coast and Swan regions. The species is listed as Priority 2 on the DBCA Threatened and Priority Fauna List dated 1 July 2025. This is a DBCA priority category, not a listing under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

No national listing is identified.

Habitat: Habitat information

Habitat used by Glossurocolletes bilobatus has not been documented.

No species-specific vegetation type, soil, landform, disturbance preference or other habitat association has been documented.

Habitat: Works-site implications

Do not infer that a site is unsuitable because the species’ habitat is poorly known. Record vegetation, flowering resources, ground conditions and site disturbance during assessment as context, not as confirmed habitat requirements for this species.

Foraging habitat: Foraging information

Foraging plants, diet and feeding behaviour have not been documented for this species.

Food plants, pollen or nectar sources, and other diet information have not been documented.

Foraging habitat: Field observations

As general bee survey practice, ecologists can note flowering plants and observe bee activity where it occurs. These observations may help describe site conditions but should not be treated as evidence of a species-specific plant association.

Breeding habitat: Breeding information

Breeding habitat and reproductive biology are poorly known.

Nest location, nesting substrate, breeding period, brood details and number of offspring have not been documented for this species.

Breeding habitat: Precaution

Do not assume that a particular soil type or vegetation community is a nesting site for this species. If possible nesting activity is observed, record its position and context and seek advice from a suitably experienced ecologist before disturbance.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter information

The species’ resting and sheltering sites have not been documented.

Where adults shelter or rest, and whether the species uses any particular ground or vegetation feature, are not known.

Sheltering habitat: Site observations

During site checks, record any bee activity and relevant features without treating them as confirmed shelter. Avoid damaging suspected nests or refuges while their significance is being assessed.

Threats: Known pressures

Specific threats to Glossurocolletes bilobatus have not been documented.

No species-specific threats or impact pathways have been recorded. The Priority 2 category indicates a poorly known taxon known from few locations, as stated in the DBCA listing information.

Threats: Development risks to check

As a general precaution for a poorly known bee, assess potential direct harm from vegetation removal, ground disturbance, vehicle movements and machinery. These are work-site impact pathways to consider, not documented threats specific to this species.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

Species-specific detectability and validated survey methods are not documented. A non-detection cannot establish absence.

Check current DBCA information and available occurrence records for the project area and surrounds. Atlas of Living Australia records show only three distinct 0.1-degree Western Australian record locations, but do not identify named localities or precise coordinates.

Survey methodology: 2. Field inspection

As general practice for bee surveys, have a suitably experienced ecologist inspect vegetation and observe bee activity where practicable. Record date, time, weather, flowering resources, location, photographs and identification confidence. These are not species-specific survey requirements.

A survey season, detection rate or method validated for this species has not been documented. Use qualified identification support where a bee may be significant, and follow applicable permits and handling requirements.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Plan and review

Habitat requirements and survey timing are unknown. Plan works cautiously and document the limits of current knowledge.

Review current DBCA records and advice, map proposed disturbance, and have an ecologist assess the site before clearing. Do not assume the species is absent because no records are mapped at the work footprint.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Brief the crew

Explain that the species is a poorly known Priority 2 bee and that field identification details are limited. Set out how workers should report bee observations and who will make decisions if a potentially significant bee or suspected nest is found.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Manage clearing

Use staged, supervised work and respond cautiously to relevant observations, without assuming that a bee or nest is this species.

Keep disturbance within approved boundaries and use the agreed clearing sequence. Have the nominated environmental representative available to check observations and ensure crews do not expand the work area unnecessarily.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Respond to observations

If bees or possible nesting activity are found in the work area, pause work locally where safe, protect the immediate area from further disturbance and contact the project ecologist. Record the location and circumstances; do not handle or relocate bees without appropriate expertise and authorisation.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Record outcomes

Record observations and how the work was managed so that uncertainty and any follow-up needs are clear.

Document survey effort, observations, identification confidence, work areas disturbed and any avoidance or pause-work actions. Report relevant findings through project procedures and to the appropriate agency where required.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Review remaining areas

Ask the project ecologist to review any retained vegetation or ground features where bee activity or possible nesting was recorded. No species-specific post-disturbance monitoring method is available.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore disturbed areas

Species-specific rehabilitation requirements are unknown because habitat and resource needs have not been documented.

Rehabilitate disturbed land in line with project approvals and the site's reference condition. Use locally appropriate methods and do not claim that a particular plant species or substrate benefits Glossurocolletes bilobatus unless supported by further evidence.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Monitor and adapt

Record vegetation establishment and any bee activity during routine rehabilitation checks. Treat these observations as site information, not proof of species recovery, and seek specialist advice if the species is confirmed.

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