Could an Australian bee solve the world’s plastic crisis?
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By Jonathan Pearlman
Researchers believe an Australian bee which produces a ‘cellophane-like’ material for its nests could help to end the world’s reliance on disposable plastics.
The native Hylaeus nubilosus masked bee, known for the distinctive yellow badge on its back, does not sting or live in hives but it has generated interest because of the nesting material it produces, which is non-toxic, waterproof, flame-resistant and able to withstand heat.
A biotech company in New Zealand, Humble Bee, is trying to reverse-engineer the material in the hope of mass producing it as an alternative to plastic.
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