(A) manicured gardens support the highest bee diversity. (B) unmanaged green spaces are better for bee populations. (C) pesticides have no effect on urban bees. (D) cities cannot support a wide variety of bee species.
Unlike honeybees, which live in large, social colonies, over 90% of urban bee species are solitary. A single female leafcutter bee, for example, constructs her own nest in a small cavity, such as a hollow stem or a crack in a brick wall, without the aid of a worker caste. She then provisions the nest with a mixture of nectar and pollen before laying a single egg. This efficient, independent lifestyle allows solitary bees to thrive in fragmented urban habitats where large, continuous foraging areas are scarce. toefl itp reading practice
While honeybees often capture the public’s attention due to their role in agriculture and honey production, an astonishing diversity of bee species thrives in cities around the world. Far from being concrete wastelands for pollinators, metropolitan areas — with their balconies, community gardens, parks, and even abandoned lots — can support over 200 species of bees. Among these are bumblebees, leafcutter bees, and mason bees, each exhibiting unique nesting and foraging behaviors. (A) manicured gardens support the highest bee diversity