Melittosphex burmensis

Melittosphex burmensis: A Glimpse into Ancient Bee History

Imagine uncovering a minuscule, ancient bee preserved in amber for millions of years. This scenario became a reality in 2006 when George Poinar, Jr., a zoologist from Oregon State University, described the species *Melittosphex burmensis*. This remarkable discovery originated from Burmese amber found in the Hukawng Valley of northern Myanmar, dating back to the Cretaceous Period, approximately 100 million years ago.

The name *Melittosphex burmensis* combines Greek words for "honey bee" and "wasp" reflecting its unique characteristics. This minuscule bee, measuring only about 3 millimeters in length, is roughly one-fifth the size of a modern honeybee. It stands out because it does not fit neatly into any existing bee family but instead displays a fascinating mixture of traits from both carnivorous wasps and pollen-collecting bees. With a heart-shaped head and branched hairs adorning its body, this ancient bee provides valuable insight into the early evolution of bees.

Even more exciting is that *Melittosphex burmensis* is the oldest known bee species, predating the next-oldest species by an astonishing 40 million years. This discovery was thoroughly detailed by Poinar and bee researcher Bryan Danforth in the journal *Science*.

Adding to the intrigue, in 2020, another ancient bee species, *Discoscapa apicula*, was discovered in the same amber deposit. This find further enriches our understanding of ancient bee diversity. The pollen-collecting features of these Cretaceous bees might even illuminate the rapid proliferation of flowering plants during that era.