5.19 External Anatomy Flashcards
What is the overall structure of Apis mellifera?
All three have the same overall structure:
- Head with 5 eyes, two antennae and mouthparts
- Thorax comprising three thoracic segments and one abdominal segment
- Petiole
- 6 legs on the thorax, each pair from a different tergite
- Two pairs of wings on the thorax from T2 and T3
What causes the differences in features among the sexes and castes of Apis mellifera?
Differences are primarily due to the differing roles of each sex and castes.
What are the three regions of an insect’s body plan?
The three regions are the head, thorax, and abdomen.
What does the head of a honeybee contain?
The head contains the main sense organs, including a pair of antennae, compound eyes, and ocelli.
How many facets do the compound eyes of a drone honeybee have?
The drone has on average 8600 facets or ommatidia.
How many facets do the compound eyes of a worker and queen honeybee have?
The worker has between 4000-6900 facets, and the queen has around 3000-4000.
What is the clypeus in honeybees?
The clypeus is the front of the face.
What are the paired mandibles located below?
The paired mandibles are located just below the upper lip, known as the labrum.
How many segments make up the thorax?
The thorax is made of 3 segments.
What are the three types of plates in each thoracic segment?
Each segment has a tergite (tergum), sternite (sternum), and pleurite (pleuron).
What is another name for the tergite of the thorax?
The tergite of the thorax is also known as a notum.
What is the largest thoracic plate?
The second thoracic plates are the largest.
How many pairs of legs does each thoracic segment have?
Each thoracic segment has a pair of legs: fore, mid, and hind.
Where are the wings located on a honeybee?
The second and third segments house a pair of wings: the fore and hind wings.
What is the tegula?
The tegula is a flap covering each forewing.
What is the propodeum?
The propodeum is the first abdominal segment found anterior to the petiole.
What is the petiole commonly known as?
The petiole is commonly known as the ‘wasp waist.’
What do the last three abdominal segments (A8-10) house?
The last three abdominal segments house the sting, reproductive structures, and the anus. These are telescoped in A7
