Functional resin use in solitary bees

1. Overall, more than 30% of bee species depend on non-floral resources, such as resin. However, the importance resin in ecology, particularly for solitary bees, has received very little attention thus far. 2. A plethora loose natural history observations, inferences, and author opinions hint towards a striking range uses nesting by bees. In this review, we focus use bees identify extant knowledge, knowledge gaps, future research directions with regard to functional biology. 3. Resin nests can be broadly grouped roles nest structure, chemical camouflage, defence, moisture regulation, anti-microbial properties. We point out that usage appears constrained environmental physiological factors. Bee species-specific tolerances toxicity availability environment seem determine choices subsequently nests. finally highlight may play major role determining ambient microbiota, due its strong antimicrobial conclude better mechanistic understanding biology aid assessing shifts light global change.