What structure does the female Wool Carder Bee use to carry pollen?
Answer
Scopa located on the underside of her abdomen
The female Wool Carder Bee utilizes a structure known as a scopa for carrying pollen, which is distinctly located on the underside of her abdomen. This contrasts significantly with many other bee species, such as honeybees, which often carry pollen loads in specialized structures on their hind legs called corbiculae, frequently referred to as pollen baskets. The scopa is characterized by long, pale hairs designed specifically to hold the collected plant material, making the ventral side of a foraging female appear laden with a yellowish or pale mass. This morphology represents a significant morphological divergence from bee types that rely on hind-leg structures for pollen transport.
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