Abstract
The cavity-nesting solitary bee Osmia bruneri (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) normally partitions and plugs its nest tunnel with masticated leaf pulp. In 2018, many females of a captive population were observed collecting pulp from drupelets of both unripe and ripe red raspberries (Rubus idaeus) despite available foliage from this plant as well as five weedy forbs. Females capped 122 nests with raspberry pulp, the material that they used for their nests’ cell partitions as well. Such red nest plugs were never produced by the preceding ten captive generations of this bee (about 3000 nests), even when caged with raspberries. Raspberry fruit pulp proved to be of intermediate preference for nest construction among alternative foliar choices offered to nesting females.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
