The Sting
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When
viewing a magnified image, the sting of the Honeybee (Apis
mellifera) is shown to be a formidable weapon of defence.
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Contractions
of alternately opposing abdominal muscles work in conjunction
causing the two finely pointed, barbed lancets to pierce the victims
skin . The lancets run along 'rails' of the stylet and once the
skin is pierced the barbs prevent withdrawal.
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A natural cavity is formed along the length of the sting by the stylet and two lancets through which the venom passes into the wound. |
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The venom is a complex mixture of phospholipase and hyaluromidase, causing the release of histamine and apitoxin, a protein with similar effects on the nervous system as cobra venom. |
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All images copyright © Andrew Syred 2000