A new species of bee, dubbed ‘Lucifer’ for the striking devil-like horns on its females, has been discovered in Western Australia.
The species, formally named Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer, was announced on Tuesday by Curtin University.
Lead researcher Kit Prendergast said the name was inspired by both the insect’s unusual appearance and the Netflix series Lucifer.
“The name just fit perfectly. I’m also a huge fan of the Netflix character Lucifer, so it was a no-brainer,” she explained. “The female had these incredible little horns on her face.”
Prendergast first encountered the bee in 2019 during a survey of a critically endangered wildflower.
Genetic testing confirmed that Lucifer is the first new species in its group to be studied in over 20 years. DNA barcoding showed it is entirely new to science, with no representation in major databases or museum collections.
The function of the female’s horns is still being investigated, though researchers suggest they could aid in nest defence or resource gathering. Males of the species lack the horns entirely.
Importance of Ecosystems and Conservation
The discovery emphasises the need to study native bees, especially in areas threatened by climate change, mining, and habitat destruction.
Prendergast highlighted that many mining companies do not survey for native pollinators, meaning unknown species crucial to local ecosystems could be lost.
“Many mining companies still don’t survey for native bees, so we may be missing undescribed species, including those that play crucial roles in supporting threatened plants and ecosystems,” she said.
The finding also comes amid global concerns over declining pollinator populations.
Bees, essential for almost all flowering plants, face increasing threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human activity, making discoveries like Lucifer vital for understanding and protecting biodiversity.
Endtime Conspiracy Theories Emerge
Some users on forums such as Reddit are connecting the bee’s name “Lucifer”, its devil-like horns, and the timing (11/11/2025) to apocalyptic symbolism or biblical prophecy.
One user posted: “HORNY BEES = 666 … Lucifer bee discovered … Hackeriapis … GOLDFIELDS=444 … WORLD WAR THREE=444”.
Others link the phenomenon of unusual insects (or large swarms) to prophecies in the Book of Revelation—specifically the idea of “locusts” in Revelation 9, which some interpret as supernatural creatures signalling the “end times”.
Still, some connect the new species discoveries to “New World Order”, “global extinction events”, or sudden biodiversity shocks as evidence of hidden agendas.
However, the naming of the Megachile lucifer was explained by the lead author, Kit Prendergast, as being inspired by both the physical horns of the female bees and her having watched the Netflix series Lucifer at the time of writing the species description.
There is no scientific evidence linking this species to human attacks, plagues, spiritual prophecy, or “end-time locusts”.
The bees appear to be solitary native pollinators with no known history of aggressive behaviour or mass swarming events that would connect them to apocalyptic themes.
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