Apiculture (0+1)

Abdomen and Anatomical Features

Abdomen:

• First abdominal segment is united with the metathorax and forms anatomically a part of thorax known as propodeum
• Bee larva has 10 abdominal segments but in adult workers abdomen appears 6 segmented; segments 8-10 are reduced in size and first segment (propodeum) is transferred to thorax during pupal stage
• Abdomen bears sting, wax glands (on sternites 4 to 7) and scent glands (on last two terga) and genitalia in addition to other viscera
• In workers egg laying apparatus (ovipositor) is modified into sting
• Queen uses ovipositor for egg laying and for stinging rival queen.
Important anatomical features:

• Digestive system is unique in having oesophagus with expanded honey stomach which stores the collected nectar (Fig. 3.6)
• From honey stomach food goes to ventriculus through X shaped opening known as proventriculus, regulating passage of food to ventriculus. It removes pollen from nectar and nectar is retained in honey sac and pollen passes to ventriculus. Nectar is regurgitated in the comb cells for conversion into honey
• Reproductive organs are fully developed in queen and drone but greatly reduced in worker.
• Sperms are stored in the queen in a sac like structure known as spermatheca. The stored sperms are utilized by queen throughout her life time as she does not go for mating once starts egg laying.