Gallery
Clypeus
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.
Proboscis Wet
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
Folder Proboscis
The proboscis folds back on itself when not in use and fits into the fossa, the recess below the neck and behind the mandibles
Mandible
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
Mandible
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
Mandible
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
Glossal Rod
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
Crystall Cone
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.
Rhabdon Tangent
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.
Clypeus
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.
Proboscis Wet
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
Folder Proboscis
The proboscis folds back on itself when not in use and fits into the fossa, the recess below the neck and behind the mandibles
Mandible
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
Mandible
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
Mandible
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
Last Gang Trachea
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
Glossal Rod
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
Tracheal Sac
This image shows a tracheal sac in the posterior abdomen, surrounded by yellow-coloured fat cells
Crystall Cone
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.
Rhabdon Tangent
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.
Day 72
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
Last Gang Trachea
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
Tracheal Sac
This image shows a tracheal sac in the posterior abdomen, surrounded by yellow-coloured fat cells
Day 72
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
Day 6
This larva also has the head to the left. The larva has ‘fattened up’ significantly. The spiracles can just be seen in some segments
Day 6
This larva also has the head to the left. The larva has ‘fattened up’ significantly. The spiracles can just be seen in some segments
Day 5
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.
Day 5
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.
Horizontal Section Drone Head
At this level the pharynx is passing through the brain. The antennal lobes lie on either side of the pharynx anteriorly
Horizontal Section Drone Head
At this level the pharynx is passing through the brain. The antennal lobes lie on either side of the pharynx anteriorly
Horizontal Section Drone Head
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
Horizontal Section Drone Head
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
Drone Head
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
Drone Head
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