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Just Plain Weird

Petals Make Nests

Osima-avosetaNest_side

Two discoveries, far apart and on the very same day identified species of bees that build their underground nests from petals and mud.

In Turkey the female bees favor yellow, pink, blue and purple petals but in Iran, the rare solitary bee only chooses purple petals.

In both cases the petal and mud sandwich nest is home to the larvae. After building the nest, the bee fills the nest with pollen and nectar and when the egg is laid, it seals the nest. This then hardens and provides protection and also feeds the larvae as it forms.