What specialized structure do female Wool Carder Bees use for transport?
Answer
Long, pale hairs known as scopa, located on the underside of her abdomen.
The identification marker that specifically aids the female Wool Carder Bee in gathering and transporting nest materials is the scopa. This structure consists of long, pale hairs situated specifically on the ventral side, or underside, of her abdomen. The female utilizes this specialized apparatus to carry the collected plant fluff, which resembles wool, back to her nest site. This contrasts with some other bee species that carry pollen and materials using scopae located on their hind legs. The presence of this abdominal scopa is a key diagnostic feature when distinguishing female Wool Carder Bees from other similar-sized solitary bees.
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