Wang H, Wu Z, Zhao J, Wu J. Nectar Feeding by a Honey Bee's Hairy Tongue: Morphology, Dynamics, and Energy-Saving Strategies.
INSECTS 2021;
12:insects12090762. [PMID:
34564203 PMCID:
PMC8465255 DOI:
10.3390/insects12090762]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary
This paper reviews the interdisciplinary research on nectar feeding behaviour of honey bees ranging from morphology, dynamics, and energy-saving strategies, which collects a range of knowledge of feeding physiology of honey bees and may inspire the design paradigms of next-generation multifunctional microfluidic transporters.
Abstract
Most flower-visiting insects have evolved highly specialized morphological structures to facilitate nectar feeding. As a typical pollinator, the honey bee has specialized mouth parts comprised of a pair of galeae, a pair of labial palpi, and a glossa, to feed on the nectar by the feeding modes of lapping or sucking. To extensively elucidate the mechanism of a bee’s feeding, we should combine the investigations from glossa morphology, feeding behaviour, and mathematical models. This paper reviews the interdisciplinary research on nectar feeding behaviour of honey bees ranging from morphology, dynamics, and energy-saving strategies, which may not only reveal the mechanism of nectar feeding by honey bees but inspire engineered facilities for microfluidic transport.
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