ID#: 8829
Caption:
Magnified 207X, this scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image revealed the rear leg anatomy of a carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica, at the region of its tibial spur. These spurs, which are exoskeletal protuberances, enable the bee to grasp various floral structures, thereby, enhancing its maneuverability inside the flower, while it obtains it nectar meal, and pollinates the plant. When they are used to grasp floral structures such as the filaments, which are attached to the pollen-producing anthers, they move up, and over these structures, thereby, scraping off of pollen in the process, and dispersing it throughout the flower, or on to the bee directly. Note the comb of modified scales, which act to improve the spur's ability to collect, and redistribute pollen during the nectar retrieval, and pollination process.
High Resolution: Click here for hi-resolution image (5.48 MB)
Content Provider(s): CDC/ Janice Haney Carr, Oren Mayer
Creation Date: 2006
Photo Credit: Janice Haney Carr
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Copyright Restrictions: Permission is not required for public domain images, however, these images are provided by CDC and are available for personal, professional, and educational use with appropriate attribution. Redistribution must credit CDC and, where known, the individual photographer, and identify the CDC website as the free source. For additional terms see Use of Agency Materials | Other | CDC