Corbiculae are pollen-transport structures found on the hind legs of which bees?

Corbiculae are pollen-transport structures found on the hind legs of which bees?

• A. Carpenter bees
• B. Honeybees and bumblebees
• C. Solitary bees
• D. All bees

Answer: (B)

Corbiculae, or pollen baskets, are specialized structures on the hind legs that form a compact pellet of pollen for transport back to the nest. This adaptation is most developed in honeybees and bumblebees, where the hind legs have stiff, dense hairs arranged to create a smooth, concave basket that holds the pollen as the bee forages. While many solitary bees and carpenter bees carry pollen on other surfaces—such as scopae on the hind legs or on the abdomen—these bees do not have corbiculae. Therefore, the pollen-transport baskets on the hind legs identify honeybees and bumblebees.

Corbiculae, or pollen baskets, are specialized structures on the hind legs that form a compact pellet of pollen for transport back to the nest. This adaptation is most developed in honeybees and bumblebees, where the hind legs have stiff, dense hairs arranged to create a smooth, concave basket that holds the pollen as the bee forages. While many solitary bees and carpenter bees carry pollen on other surfaces—such as scopae on the hind legs or on the abdomen—these bees do not have corbiculae. Therefore, the pollen-transport baskets on the hind legs identify honeybees and bumblebees.