Comparative morphometric studies of the sting apparatus of the worker bees of four different Apis species (Apis dorsata, Apis mellifera, Apis cerana and Apis florea)

Two glands associated with the sting apparatus of worker honey bees produce venom. The aim of this study was to analyse the size and morphometrics of the sting apparatus of worker bees of four Apis species. The sting apparatus consists of a venom gland, venom sac or venom reservoir and sting. These structures are located in the posterior region of the abdomen between the rectum and ovaries. The venom gland is a long tubular filamentous region (acid gland) connected to a reservoir at its proximal region in which the venom is stored. The distal end of the reservoir or venom sac is connected to the bulb of the sting, which leads into the venom canal present inside the shaft of the sting. Little variation was observed in the morphology of the sting apparatus of the different Apis species, although significant variations were found in the length and width of the different parts of sting apparatus. Copyright © 2013 IBRA