From Pollen to Polyester; December 2011; Scientific American Magazine; by Rose Eveleth; 1 Page(s)

Name: Debbie Chachra
Title: Associate professor of materials science, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
Location: Needham, Mass.

Polyester bees are all over the Northeast. The interesting thing about them is that they dig underground tunnels, about the width of your pinky finger, where they lay their eggs. To protect their larvae from heat, cold, fungus, bacteria and other dangers, the bees line these chambers with a clear, cellophanelike substance. The larvae then live underground for most of their lives in these reinforced cells.