Through which structure do honeybees breathe?

Honeybees breathe through a system of tubes called tracheae, which is distinctive to insects. Unlike mammals, which utilize lungs and alveoli for gas exchange, honeybees draw air into their bodies through small openings on the sides of their abdomen known as spiracles. This air then travels through the tracheal system, where oxygen is delivered directly to the tissues and carbon dioxide is expelled. The tracheae are lined with a chitinous material and operate effectively at transferring gases within the insect's body, allowing for efficient respiratory function without the need for a circulatory system to carry oxygen.

While spiracles serve as the entry and exit points for air, and bronchi (the larger air passages in more complex organisms) do not apply to insects, the honeybee's unique tracheal structure is fundamental to its ability to breathe and thrive in its environment. Thus, understanding the role of tracheae is crucial for comprehending honeybee physiology and their efficient gas exchange mechanisms.