How do bees walk upside down on surfaces, both rough and smooth?

eliochel
Feb 17, 2023
1 min read

The 2 claws or hooks on each pretarsus (end segment of each leg), grip rough or penetrable surfaces so that makes it easy to move anywhere on those surfaces, including upside down.

On slippery surfaces, a flexible pad between those 2 claws forms a sort of “suction” against those smooth surfaces with a secretion from a gland called the Arnhart or tarsal or arolium gland.

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How do bees walk upside down on surfaces, both rough and smooth?

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