It was originally described by F. Smith in 1854 as Saropoda bombiformis from a collection near the Richmond River in New South Wales,[1] before being reclassified in the genus Amegilla in 1965.

[3] Teddy bear bees have been recorded visiting Abelia, Buddleja, and blue flax lily (Dianella caerulea) flowers in the garden; males rest overnight attached to plant stems.

They are found in eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales and into Victoria,[3] and as well as New Guinea and the Aru Islands to the north.

[5] The nest consists of several urn-shaped cells at the end of a 10 cm (4 in) long burrow, located in soil or earth, such as a creek bank in natural areas, or rubble in gardens, with some overhanging shelter.

Through primarily spore germination, fungal pathogens may have been agents of the social evolution among Australian bee species.