A bee species of Asian origin has been discovered in Malta for the first time.

Known as the Red Dwarf Honey Bee, its scientific name is Apis florea. The discovery took place in the Birzebbugia area, marking the first recorded instance of a colony of this species in Europe.

The honeycomb measured 22 cm in length, 15 cm in height, and 9 cm in width, and it is estimated that around 2,000 bees inhabited it, although the queen was not located.

Researchers collected some of the bees to study them before eliminating the colony. These specimens were donated to the Department of Biology at the University of Malta.

The species is considered as risky to the natural biodiversity of our country.