Ancient Bee Fossil Discovered in New Zealand Rewrites Pollination History

A 14.6-million-year-old bee fossil, *Leioproctus barrydonovani*, discovered in Otago, New Zealand, is challenging existing theories about the evolution of bees in the Southern Hemisphere. Found in the Hindon Maar fossil deposit, this well-preserved specimen suggests that bees inhabited New Zealand much earlier than previously believed, potentially reshaping our understanding of the region's pollination history. The fossil was found in a sedimentary formation that was once covered by dense mixed forests. Experts believe that this bee may have played a crucial role in pollinating plants like *Nothofagus* and *Pseudopanax* during the Miocene epoch. The discovery raises questions about the scarcity of native bee species in New Zealand today, and the potential impact of climate change and competition with other pollinators on their populations. Further research aims to clarify the relationship between *Leioproctus barrydonovani* and modern bee species, potentially revealing whether it is a direct ancestor or part of an extinct lineage. This find highlights the significance of the Hindon Maar site for future paleontological studies and our understanding of the evolution of insects in New Zealand.