Apiculture (0+1)

Thorax

• It consists of three segments: prothorax , mesotmhorax and metathorax, each bears a pair of legs. Meso and metathorax, each bears a pair of wings (Fig. 3.5). Legs and wings are locomotory organs. In addition to locomotion legs in honey bees are also modified to perform following functions:
• Prothoracic legs serve as antenna cleaner. Basal part of basitarsus has a notch (Fig. 3.4) and a small lobe projects from distal end of tibia (tibial spur). It is found in all the three castes.
• On mesothoracic legs, bushy tarsi serve as brushes for cleaning of thorax. Long spine at end of middle tibia (Fig. 3.4) is used for loosening pellets of pollen from pollen basket of hind leg and also for cleaning wings and spiracles. Wax scales are also removed from wax pockets of abdomen by these legs.
• Hind or metathoracic legs differ from other legs in being larger in size and with broad flattened form of tibia and basitarsus. In worker bees, smooth somewhat concave outer surface of hind tibia is fringed with long curved hairs and forms pollen basket or corbicula (Fig. 3.4)
• Two pairs of wings arise from sides of meso and metathorax. Fore wings are stronger than hind wings. Series of upturned hooks (hamuli) are present on front margin of each hind wing. Decurved fold on rear margin of fore wing works as coupling apparatus for holding hamuli and this result in unity of action of the wings in flight.