What characteristic, cellophane-like substance do female Hylaeus bees use when constructing nest cells?

Answer

A material secreted from glands used to line the cell walls before provisioning.

The nesting behavior of many *Hylaeus* species involves meticulous construction of individual cells within their chosen cavity. After securing a suitable location, such as a hollow reed or beetle burrow, the female bee secretes a unique substance from glands. This material is thin, resembles cellophane, and is used specifically to line the inner walls of each cell chamber. This delicate lining serves as a protective barrier for the developing larva and its food supply (the pollen-nectar provision) before the egg is laid. This particular nesting architecture, characterized by paper-thin walled chambers, is a feature shared by the entire family Colletidae, leading to the alternative common name 'cellophane bees' for this group.

What characteristic, cellophane-like substance do female Hylaeus bees use when constructing nest cells?

Related Questions

How do yellow-faced bees of the genus Hylaeus transport pollen differently than many other bees?What specialized structure found on honeybees do yellow-faced bees notably lack?What characteristic, cellophane-like substance do female Hylaeus bees use when constructing nest cells?Which of the following Hawaiian species is noted as being found across Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Kauai?What is the Hawaiian name often used locally for native yellow-faced bees?Where is Hylaeus kuakea, a species found in dry forests, known to establish its nesting tunnels?What invasive agents in Hawaii are responsible for raiding the small nests of native yellow-faced bees?What type of nesting habitat is indicated by small, perfectly round exit holes in dead branches for cavity-nesting Hylaeus species?Which *Hylaeus* species in the Pacific Northwest of North America is listed as a species of conservation concern?What specialized requirement for supporting yellow-faced bees should gardeners focus on instead of just quantity of blooms?
faunainsectbee