What specialized structure do female B. fernaldii lack that pollen-collecting bees possess?
Answer
Corbicula on their hind tibiae
A crucial physical difference setting female cuckoo bumblebees, including *B. fernaldii*, apart from solitary-nesting bees is the complete absence of specialized pollen-carrying structures on their hind legs. This structure is known as the corbicula, or pollen basket. Since parasitic females do not provision nests with pollen and nectar for their young—relying instead entirely on the labor extracted from their host colony—they have not evolved or retained this apparatus necessary for packing and transporting large amounts of pollen back to a self-maintained nest.
Related Questions
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