Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: The pollen basket in honey bee worker is situated on femur
Statement II: The pollen basket in honey bee worker is situated on tibia
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
• D. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect

Hint:

The corbicula (pollen basket) is located on the outer surface of the hind tibia, while the first tarsal segment (basitarsus) is modified into the pollen press (auricle) and pollen comb.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Female worker honey bees (genus Apis) possess anatomical structures on their hind legs modified for the collection and transport of pollen and propolis.
The pollen basket (or corbicula) is a key diagnostic feature of the family Apidae.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us examine the anatomical location of the pollen basket on the hind leg of a worker honey bee:
1. Structure of the Corbicula: The corbicula is a smooth, concave region located on the outer surface of the hind leg.
It is bordered by a fringe of long, curved bristles that hold the accumulated pollen mass securely in place during flight.
2. Anatomical Location: This concave, fringed structure is located on the tibia of the hind leg.
During foraging, the worker bee brushes pollen from its body, mixes it with regurgitated nectar, and packs it into this tibial basket.
The femur of the hind leg is located proximally to the tibia and does not contain this concave, fringed structure.
Therefore, Statement I, which states that the pollen basket is situated on the femur, is anatomically incorrect.
Statement II, which states that the pollen basket is situated on the tibia, is anatomically correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.