Which plant family is frequently cited as a major food source for the Wool Carder Bee?
Answer
*Lamiaceae*
The Wool Carder Bee shows distinct preferences when selecting floral resources to ensure efficient nutrient acquisition, frequently concentrating its efforts on specific plant groups. The family *Lamiaceae*, commonly recognized for including culinary herbs such as mints, sages, and catnip, is repeatedly cited as a primary and highly productive food source for these bees. Plants within this family often yield both the high-energy nectar required by both sexes and the accessible pollen needed by the females for provisioning. The structure of these flowers typically allows for relatively easy access to their reproductive parts, optimizing the foraging efficiency for a relatively large bee species with substantial energy demands.
Related Questions
What resource is the male *A. manicatum* diet almost entirely restricted to due to reproductive duties?What specific purpose does the large quantity of pollen collected by female Wool Carder Bees serve?Which plant family is frequently cited as a major food source for the Wool Carder Bee?What is the collected fibrous material, often resembling wool, strictly used for by the female *A. manicatum*?How does the female Wool Carder Bee carry pollen, unlike European honey bees?What distinctive physical feature helps identify the male Wool Carder Bee?What is the primary function of nectar in the diet of both male and female Wool Carder Bees?What type of *Stachys* species is noted as particularly attractive, often correlating with high bee activity?What should gardeners prioritize to support the health of *A. manicatum* during their flight season?Compared to nectar utilization, how is the Wool Carder Bee's pollen collection generally focused?