Researchers in Florida have rediscovered an "ultra-rare" metallic blue bee that hadn't been spotted in years – so long that experts weren't sure it still existed. Florida Museum of Natural History researcher Chase Kimmel found a blue calamintha bee on March 9, according to an emailed statement from Kimmel. It was the first time one had been spotted since 2016, the museum says. QUOTE "We observed a shiny little blue bee grabbing (an Ashe's calamint flower) and rubbing its head on the top portion of the flower 2-3 times," Kimmel's statement says. That behavior is unusual and a unique characteristic of the blue calamintha bee: QUOTE "We were pretty shocked to see it."

Researchers in Florida have rediscovered an "ultra-rare" metallic blue bee that hadn't been spotted in years &ndash; so long that experts weren't sure it still existed. Florida Museum of Natural History researcher Chase Kimmel found a blue calamintha bee on March 9, according to an emailed statement from Kimmel. It was the first time one had been spotted since 2016, the museum says. QUOTE "We observed a shiny little blue bee grabbing (an Ashe's calamint flower) and rubbing its head on the top portion of the flower 2-3 times," Kimmel's statement says. That behavior is unusual and a unique characteristic of the blue calamintha bee: QUOTE "We were pretty shocked to see it."

News briefs from the state of Florida.

Florida News Briefs - Florida Podcast

News Briefs from the state of Florida.

Florida News Briefs - Florida

Florida - ‘Ultra-rare’ blue bees found in Florida. It’s been years since they were last seen.