The term "pollen basket" refers to a structure on the hind legs of bees and some other insects that is used to transport pollen. The spelling of the word is straightforward when using IPA phonetic transcription: /ˈpɒlən ˈbɑːskɪt/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "o" sound, and the second syllable has a long "a" sound. The "sk" combination in the second syllable is pronounced as a voiceless "s" sound followed by a voiced "k" sound.
Pollen basket, also known as corbicula, refers to a specialized structure found on the hind legs of certain species of bees, particularly honeybees. It is a concave area surrounded by long hairs and is used by bees to carry and transport pollen collected from flowers back to the hive.
The pollen basket is made up of two parts: the outer corneous layer and the inner membrane. The outer layer is created by the bee by adding a mixture of saliva and nectar to the collected pollen. This mixture is pressed onto the hind legs, resulting in a concave shape. The inner membrane, which is more flexible, helps to secure the pollen load in place.
Bees use their pollen baskets to efficiently gather and store pollen, which serves as a valuable source of protein for their offspring. As bees land on flowers, they use their specialized legs to comb and collect pollen grains, which adhere to the hairs on their bodies. They then use their other legs to brush the pollen from their body hairs into the pollen baskets.
Once the pollen basket is full, a bee returns to the hive where it deposits the collected pollen into cells, which will later be used as food for developing larvae. The ability of bees to carry large amounts of pollen in their baskets allows them to efficiently pollinate plants as they move from one flower to another, aiding in plant reproduction and the maintenance of biodiversity.
Overall, the pollen basket is an essential structure for honeybees and other pollen-collecting bees, enabling them to gather, transport, and store pollen for the benefit of their entire colony.
The etymology of the word "pollen basket" can be traced back to the combination of the words "pollen" and "basket" in English.
The word "pollen" is derived from the Latin word "pollen", meaning fine flour or dust. It is related to the Latin word "polvere", which means "dust". This Latin term was adopted into English, specifically in the mid-18th century, to refer to the powdery substance produced by flowers and carried by insects as a form of plant fertilization.
The word "basket" originated from the Middle English word "baskat" which came from the Old Norse word "bastr" and Old English word "bæsket", meaning a container made of woven materials. It has been used to describe various forms of containers or receptacles throughout history.