Gallery

Below the antennae two groves pass downwards and outwars to meet the bases of the mandibles, these grooves are the epistomal sulci. The raised area between them is the clypeus. The bulging shape of the clypeus accomomodates a number of muscles which dilate the pharynx to create suction to draw nectar up the mouthparts.

The tongue (glossa) is seen extended and glistening with liquid. The upper part is surrounded in front by the two galeae. The rings of the tongue are just visible

The proboscis folds back on itself when not in use and fits into the fossa, the recess below the neck and behind the mandibles

This image shows the anterior and posterior articulations, and the attachments of the adductor and abductor tendons. The groove along which the mandibular gland secretions run is also clearly seen

This image shows the inner face of the mandible. The worker bee uses these spoon shaped mandibles to pass mandibular gland secretions to other bees

This shows the external surface of the mandibles. The base of the mandible has four projections. Two of these are articulations, the other two are the attachments of the adductor and abductor tendons

The glossal rod. This section of the tongue (glossa) shows the glossal rod as a purple structure. This helps maintain the rigidity of the tongue as it probes the base of a flower for nectar

Crystalline cone. This high power image shows the top of a single component of the compound eye. This section is just below the lens. It shows the crystalline cone as a round pink structure. In life this would be transparent, and conducts light down. It is surrounded by a ring of pigment in the pigment cells.

Ommatidium. There are eight light sensitive cells surrounding each rhabdon . Light comes down the centre of this structure (transparent in life, stained pink here), and triggers these cells.

Tracheal sacs near the sting in the posterior abdomen of a worker.

Below the antennae two groves pass downwards and outwars to meet the bases of the mandibles, these grooves are the epistomal sulci. The raised area between them is the clypeus. The bulging shape of the clypeus accomomodates a number of muscles which dilate the pharynx to create suction to draw nectar up the mouthparts.

The tongue (glossa) is seen extended and glistening with liquid. The upper part is surrounded in front by the two galeae. The rings of the tongue are just visible

The proboscis folds back on itself when not in use and fits into the fossa, the recess below the neck and behind the mandibles

This image shows the anterior and posterior articulations, and the attachments of the adductor and abductor tendons. The groove along which the mandibular gland secretions run is also clearly seen

This image shows the inner face of the mandible. The worker bee uses these spoon shaped mandibles to pass mandibular gland secretions to other bees

This shows the external surface of the mandibles. The base of the mandible has four projections. Two of these are articulations, the other two are the attachments of the adductor and abductor tendons

A branching trachea entering the last ganglion of the nervous system in the posterior abdomen. Gas exchange throughout the body is achieved through successively smaller tracheae and tracheoles

The glossal rod. This section of the tongue (glossa) shows the glossal rod as a purple structure. This helps maintain the rigidity of the tongue as it probes the base of a flower for nectar

This image shows a tracheal sac in the posterior abdomen, surrounded by yellow-coloured fat cells

Crystalline cone. This high power image shows the top of a single component of the compound eye. This section is just below the lens. It shows the crystalline cone as a round pink structure. In life this would be transparent, and conducts light down. It is surrounded by a ring of pigment in the pigment cells.

Ommatidium. There are eight light sensitive cells surrounding each rhabdon . Light comes down the centre of this structure (transparent in life, stained pink here), and triggers these cells.

Tracheal sacs near the sting in the posterior abdomen of a worker.

The head is again to the left. This is larger than the day seven larva, however apart from growth, there has been relatively limited internal change

A branching trachea entering the last ganglion of the nervous system in the posterior abdomen. Gas exchange throughout the body is achieved through successively smaller tracheae and tracheoles

This image shows a tracheal sac in the posterior abdomen, surrounded by yellow-coloured fat cells

The head is again to the left. This is larger than the day seven larva, however apart from growth, there has been relatively limited internal change

This larva also has the head to the left. The larva has ‘fattened up’ significantly. The spiracles can just be seen in some segments

This larva also has the head to the left. The larva has ‘fattened up’ significantly. The spiracles can just be seen in some segments

This is a worker larva five days from the laying of the egg. The head is towards the left. The thoracic segments come next, and the prominences of the limb buds are visible.

This is a worker larva five days from the laying of the egg. The head is towards the left. The thoracic segments come next, and the prominences of the limb buds are visible.

At this level the pharynx is passing through the brain. The antennal lobes lie on either side of the pharynx anteriorly

At this level the pharynx is passing through the brain. The antennal lobes lie on either side of the pharynx anteriorly

This sections hows parts of the protocerebral lobes of the drain. These parts of the brain are thought to be responsible for memory and social behaviour

This sections hows parts of the protocerebral lobes of the drain. These parts of the brain are thought to be responsible for memory and social behaviour

This shows the brain in the upper part of the head. The round white structures at the back of the head are parts of the post-cerebral salivary glands. A worker would also have large glands of the brood-food gland in front of the brain. The silvery threads of tracheoles are visible bringing air to the tissues of the brain

This shows the brain in the upper part of the head. The round white structures at the back of the head are parts of the post-cerebral salivary glands. A worker would also have large glands of the brood-food gland in front of the brain. The silvery threads of tracheoles are visible bringing air to the tissues of the brain