European Honey Bee

The Honey Bee

European Honey bee (Apis Mellifera)

Forewing

Hind wing

Hind leg

Foreleg

Abdomen

Thorax

Head

Eye

Middle leg

Antenna

Wing Structure Each pair of wings (fore & hind) are uncoupled when lying on the bee’s back but as the bee draws its forewing over the hind wing a row of hooks on the hind wing attach the wings together to form one unified flight surface. The structures can be seen in this series of images.

Mouthparts 1

X-section view

of bee head

Maxilla

Antenna

Mandible

Glossa

Labial Palp

Maxilla, Labial Palp & Glossa are together called the “Proboscis”.

Mouthparts 2 This selection of images show differing views of the proboscis; with the mandibles also shown top left, and a closer view of the labial palp right-hand image. The proboscis is tubular allowing the glossa (tongue) to be dipped in to nectar & then retracted up the tube.

Hind Leg Femur - Tibia - Pollen Press- Tarsus - Combs - Claw

Comb & Press Guard ‘hairs’ keep pollen in pollen press Compressed pollen is pushed between bristles on Tibia Pollen is compacted in the pollen press Comb hairs collect pollen from the bee’s body and place it in the pollen press

Compound Eye The honey bee has two large compound eyes. The honey bee eye is a highly developed version of the compound eye, having a specialised fovea zone that gives especially acute vision. As well as normal colour vision, the bee is also capable of seeing light in the ultra-violet region, thereby seeing different tones to those we do.

For Comparison Here is a Bumble Bee, in flight. Whilst distinctly different in shape, the Bumble Bee has very similar structure to that of Honey Bees; save for the fact that it has an unbarbed sting. Pollen can be seen on the bee’s hind legs.