‘Cellophane’ bees make their nests from biodegradable plastic : GS TIMES IAS-PCS

Why in News?

Researchers have characterised a naturally produced, polyethylene-like polyester in the nest linings of solitary ground-nesting bees (Colletes inaequalis), commonly known as Cellophane bees. The material degrades substantially within months and may provide insights for developing biodegradable plastics.

Key Features

Species: Colletes inaequalis, a solitary, ground-nesting bee species found in North America.
Nest material: Female bees secrete a mixture of silk and polyester from a gland near their stinger to line their underground nests.
Appearance: The nest lining resembles cellophane packaging, making the bees popularly known as Cellophane bees.
Material properties: The nest linings are initially flexible, resilient and waterproof.
Natural degradation:
- Remain flexible and resilient for approximately four months.
- Begin to crack after around seven months.
- Start crumbling within one year.
Polyester breakdown: The polyester content declines faster than the silk content. Its proportion decreased from approximately 73% to 40% within a few months.
Research publication: The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).