In South Australia, the green carpenter bee is restricted to Kangaroo Island, where scientists are creating artificial nest sites to prevent collapse of the species’ population.

Soft wood, resembling dead flower stalks of grass trees, or dead banksia trunks are placed in fire-ravaged areas. The bees then excavate nests in the wood.

University of Adelaide bee researcher Dr Katja Hogendoorn says the project has been very successful, with an occupancy rate of 75 per cent.

“This is a conservation effort that works,” she said. “We are now going to search for money and help to keep it up.”

To safeguard the species, 300 stalks or trunks must be put out each year, costing $5000 a year.

The large metallic green bee is a “flying jewel, so shiny and green, it’s really beautiful”, Dr Hogendoorn said.

University of Adelaide researcher Dr Gary Taylor, convener of the Australian Entomological Society’s conservation committee, wants scientists to nominate other flagship species for each bioregion across Australia.

“These flagship species can then be used for highlighting conservation issues more widely across Australia,” he said.