Researchers call the honey bee a “flying dustmop” and use that trait in research.
- eliochel
- Mar 24, 2023
- 1 min read
Bees are fuzzy, not just covered by hairs, but covered by plumose (branched) hairs which trap particulates. This trait aids their collection of pollen and its transfer from flower to flower. However, these feathery hairs of foraging honey bees (and other bees) also trap wind-borne particulates in flight, making them ideal for the study of air pollutant particles.