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Structures, properties, and functions of the stings of honey bees and paper wasps: a comparative study.

ABSTRACT: Through natural selection, many animal organs with similar functions have evolved different macroscopic morphologies and microscopic structures. Here, we comparatively investigate the structures, properties and functions of honey bee stings and paper wasp stings. Their elegant structures were systematically observed. To examine their behaviors of penetrating into different materials, we performed penetration-extraction tests and slow motion analyses of their insertion process. In comparison, the barbed stings of honey bees are relatively difficult to be withdrawn from fibrous tissues (e.g. skin), while the removal of paper wasp stings is easier due to their different structures and insertion skills. The similarities and differences of the two kinds of stings are summarized on the basis of the experiments and observations.

SUBMITTER: Zhao ZL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4571097 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Structures, properties, and functions of the stings of honey bees and paper wasps: a comparative study.

Zhao Zi-Long ZL Zhao Hong-Ping HP Ma Guo-Jun GJ Wu Cheng-Wei CW Yang Kai K Feng Xi-Qiao XQ

Biology open 20150522 7

Through natural selection, many animal organs with similar functions have evolved different macroscopic morphologies and microscopic structures. Here, we comparatively investigate the structures, properties and functions of honey bee stings and paper wasp stings. Their elegant structures were systematically observed. To examine their behaviors of penetrating into different materials, we performed penetration-extraction tests and slow motion analyses of their insertion process. In comparison, the ...[more]

PMID: 26002929

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