Only about 14 species of Australia's 1500 odd native bee species live as an organised colony.  Individuals within these colonies work with and on behalf of each other, each with certain jobs to do, and are known as social bees. Stingless native bees are easily distinguished from honeybees as they are a lot smaller (around 4mm), generally black and do not have a sting. They do differ slightly from each other. At Kin Kin Native Bees we keep the most common three species ;

Trigona carbonaria  is the most widespread of the native bees, and the most common in the south east of Queensland. It can however be found in North Queensland and the southern coast of New South Wales. This species of native bee is easily distinguished from others by the flat spiral pattern of the brood mass.

 This species is most common inland but can also be found on the coast. The small creamy white marks at the base of the thorax help in it's identification. Austroplebeia australis hives commonly have a small flute at the entrance to their hive which they close each afternoon with a lattice of nest material to act like a security screen door.

Trigona hockingsi  is most likely to be found north of Brisbane. It is slightly larger than most other species of native stingless bees. The eggs of it's brood mass are laid in a more hap hazard manner and this can help to distinguish a hive of these bees from one of Trigona  carbonaria.