In a message dated 11/05/2007 00:33:52 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:
A high percentage of bees leaving the hive quickly wiped over their
antennae before launching off to where ever they were flying to.
Peter,
If you look closely (with magnification) at the foreleg of the bee you will
notice at the proximal end of the basitarsus a semi circular notch with a comb
inside. This is the antenna cleaner. Look slightly further towards the bee
and you will find at the distal end of the tibia a small fibula and in the
cleaning action this closes over the notch to complete the circle through which
the antenna is drawn.
The bee invented the Swiss Army Knife before Switzerland was invented!
Chris
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