ID#: 8828
Caption:
Magnified 24X, this scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image revealed the rear leg anatomy of an eastern 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 a flower, while it obtained its nectar meal, and pollinated the plant. The rear leg tibiae in the male, Xylocopa virginica, are adorned with only one spur, while female bees display two spurs per tibia. The leg spurs also directly facilitate the pollination process. 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 pollen, and dispersing it throughout the flower, or on to the bee directly.
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: None - This image is in the public domain and thus free of any copyright restrictions.