What plant species is noted as a known favorite source for the female's nest lining fiber?
Answer
Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)
The female Wool Carder Bee relies on obtaining specific fuzzy plant fibers to construct the protective lining for each individual brood cell she creates within her nest cavity. A particularly favored source mentioned for this crucial nesting material is the fuzzy leaves of the ornamental plant known as Lamb's Ear, which has the scientific designation Stachys byzantina. This dependency on high-quality, accessible fiber sources influences where females choose to establish their nests and highlights a potential resource vulnerability if such specific host plants are absent in the environment.
Related Questions
To which insect family does the Wool Carder Bee, Anthidium manicatum, belong?What is the specific function of the pale, brush-like hairs ('scopa') on the male Anthidium manicatum's abdomen?What action gives the Wool Carder Bee its common name related to female behavior?What plant species is noted as a known favorite source for the female's nest lining fiber?What is the primary ecological consequence of aggressive male Anthidium manicatum guarding behavior in new territories?Where does the native geographic range of the Wool Carder Bee primarily extend across?In which state and approximate decade was the establishment of wild populations of Anthidium manicatum first documented in North America?What feature distinguishes the male Wool Carder Bee from the female regarding their appearance?What process does the female perform after provisioning the brood cell with pollen and nectar before sealing it?What is the general classification for the nesting sites typically utilized by Anthidium manicatum?