F LORA & FAUNA
LEAF CUTTER BEES
Megachilinae sp .
Many bees have modified mandibles that allow them to cut through necessary materials . For solitary leafcutter bees , this adaptation enables them to produce nests . Those precisely cut circular holes in plant leaves are formed into tiny wrappers that are then shoved into small tubular spaces . The female will fill each leaf package with a pollen , nectar and one of her eggs . This is one of the largest genera of bees , with over 1,500 species . They are highly valued as pollinators . Pollen collected by these bees coats the broad underside of their abdomens , readily contacting the reproductive organs of plants .
AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRY
Callicarpa americana
Perhaps the easy way the American beautyberry shrub self-sows itself into our island gardens makes us less appreciative of the essential role it plays in not only beautifying our surroundings but also benefitting over forty native songbirds with its amazing edible fruits . Seeing these unique lavender berries for the first time is memorable , as typically there are only red or deep-purple berries on these shrubs up north . The nickname “ French mulberry ” seems apt indeed . If you crush the leaves , the chemical produced will repel mosquitoes and ticks .
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