Bees have a unique body structure. Therefore, in biology there is a special branch of science that studies the structure of the body of bees. It's called apiology. In Europe, this term sounds like “apidology”. This science includes studies that apply to all types of these insects. At the same time, many are interested in exactly how many wings a bee has.
Wing description
Both pairs of wings are attached to half rings on the chest. In a calm state, the bee's wings are folded. They straighten out before flying.The front wings have special hooks, and the rear wings have hooks.
Each bee has 2 pairs of leathery membranous wings, or 4 separate wings. In this case, the rear blades are smaller than the front ones. They are located on a chitinous structure and fixed on the thoracic part of the body.
This is where the strongest muscles are located. The thoracic region is not only responsible for the flight and operation of the legs, but also contributes to the movement of additional cargo. The wings are devoid of muscle tissue. All the muscles required for flight are located on the torso.
Bee wings are living formations, not dead, keratinized structures. At their base is a tubular chitinous vein, which branches into smaller fragments on the flight surfaces.
A hemolymph flow is observed in the chitinous cavities. At the same time, metabolic processes occur in the aircraft. The top of the blades is covered with small fibers. There is a fold at the bottom of the upper wing. At the same time, the lower wing is supplemented with hooks for hitching.
Flight speed and maximum distance
In 1 second, a bee can fly 2-14 meters. At the same time, it develops a speed of 5-70 kilometers per hour. Specific parameters depend on whether the insect is carrying a load. It is also recommended to take into account the terrain. If the flight is free and not interfered with by trees or other obstacles, the bee is able to reach maximum speed.
During the collection of nectar and pollen, insects are able to move 2/3 of their body weight. At the same time, they can reach speeds of up to 19-23 kilometers per hour. Without load, the pace increases 2-3 times.
Bees are able to travel different distances. The purpose of insects is considered to be to collect nectar and pollen.If it was not possible to find the required substances nearby, working individuals are able to travel up to 11 kilometers. Moreover, on flat terrain, insects fly away from the hive to a maximum of 4 kilometers.
Beekeepers claim that the highest productivity of bees is observed when they collect floral raw materials at a distance of a maximum of 2 kilometers. Overcoming longer distances leads to wear out of the wings and early death. In addition, insects will not be able to bring nectar from afar.
Wings are considered an important working tool for bees. The maintenance of normal operation of the hive and the production of beekeeping products depend on their power and endurance. In addition, wings are considered an informative indicator of age.
