Overview of Honey Bee Mouth Part Anatomy

Part 1 in a series that takes a look at the mouthparts of bees. Specifically comparing the mouth parts of a honey bee worker (Apis mellifera) with the crazy long tongue of a male orchid bee (Euglossa dilemma). This chapter is an overview of my digital bee head models created in ZBrush and Maya. I talk about the basic anatomy as well as how I'm using reference to construct the models. The models are all "works in progress", I'm sharing some of the challenges I face when trying to build an accurate 3D illustration based on photographic reference and scientific illustrations.

[@dipsheets]

INSANE amount of skill!! esp at 0:40 when you show all of your work. Genuinely fascinating work, words cannot describe how much in awe I am at your art. The attention to detail is so crazy and when rendered it looks like real photos too, bravo !!

[@luv2stack]

Very cool

[@martenj94]

I love insects and I love 3D. Your channel is an inspiration, thank you!

[@dragonmares59110]

Really impressive, the amout of details and information in the books you showed and your work is honestly amazing ! Insects are awesome !

[@federicoritacco9942]

That bee pun was totally
necessary

[@PeppoMusic]

Great stuff, very inspiring to continue on my own similar project (more focused on Formicidae and 3d printing).
I am surprised however, think I did not see any SEM photographs among the references, for getting a better idea of the smaller and more intricate structures.
Almost can't believe you would not be able to find any of those, or you just didn't show those here.
Btw, personally would consider the maxillary and/or labial palps to be more functionally analogous to our tongue, than fingers. Both fine manipulation and tasting/inspection.

[@bloopatone]

yeah I use the, all the time but don't always share in my videos as I try not to use without permission. I do have several books of nothing but SEM pictures.

[@plagueofmoths]

Could the lacinia house salivary glands?