Which specific behavior gives the Wool Carder Bee its memorable name?
Answer
Actively gathering plant fluff to line brood cells, scraping and pulling fibers from plants.
The common name, Wool Carder Bee, is directly derived from the unique and dedicated fiber collection behavior exhibited solely by the female of the species. This behavior involves the active process of 'carding,' which means scraping and pulling soft, woolly plant fluff from the stems and leaves of suitable donor plants. The female meticulously gathers this material, which resembles wool, to construct the sturdy walls and caps for the individual cells within her nest structure. Unlike other bees that rely on wax, this reliance on scraped plant fiber for insulation and structure is the defining action behind its descriptive moniker.
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