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º Edward E. Southwick Department of Biology º
º Phone 716-395-5743 State University of New York º
º FAX 716-395-2416 Brockport, New York 14420 º
º BITNET SOUTHWIK@BROCK1P U.S.A. º
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I had a student who studied bee stings. He found a wide variety of
barb arrangements. The size, shape and number varied in workers
from the same colony. He did apparently find a few without barbs.
I say apparently because one must take great care in observing
barbs under a light microscope as the orientation is crucial in
seeing the stings well. Barb morphology is illustrated in an
article in the ABJ: Southwick, e.e. 1987. Toxicity of sting
venom. Am Bee J 127(6):456-457.