Urban Bees Seen Using Plastic in Building Their Nests: Canadian Study

Well, it may be a case of Mother Nature concluding that if you can’t beat ’em join ’em, but researchers have found two species of urban bees using pieces of plastic as part of the raw materials in their nests. Thus far, no one has taken a close look whether any species of insect or animal is able to adapt to the plastic litter being discarded in urban areas.

However, two specific species of bees have found at least some use for plastics. They are the Megachile campanulae and Megachile rotundata. The former favors using plant resin in building its nests. However, researchers noticed an unidentified matter in their nests which they described as looking like “grey goo”.

“I didn’t really believe it at first,” said Scott MacIvor, whose report was published in Ecosphere journal at the end of December. “There had been anecdotal evidence of bees using plastics in their nests, but it had never been reported.”

It took an infrared microscopy to identify the material as being a polyurethane-based sealant used on the outside of buildings IE caulk. Now, that’s not only improvising, but using the material most efficiently.

The latter species typically cuts alfalfa leaves into shape and uses it to construct the cells for their eggs. They were found to use pieces of plastic bags as a leaf substitute for 33% of their leaves. The research suggests that the use of plastics is conscious given that their regular building materials are in ample supply.

On The Web:
Urban bees are using PLASTIC to build hives – and it could stop parasites from infecting their nests
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2557881/Urban-bees-using-PLASTIC-build-hives.html