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Kentucky Professor Discovers New Bee Species

By Drew Adams

Murray, KY – A University of the Cumberlands professor has discovered a new species of bee. Leif Deyrup and his father, Mark Deyrup, first noticed the species in 2002 while looking at pollination of plants in a habitat called Florida scrub. Seeing unusual features in the bee's appearance and behavior, they decided to research the animal further. Deyrup's father works at Archbold Biological Station, specializing in classifying different types of insects. Deyrup's expertise is in animal behavior, however he says he is excited about his discovery. The 35-year-old is in his fourth year of teaching biology at the Williamsburg-based university.