Do Bees Have Knees?
Yes, bees have knees. Their knees are the joints in their legs between the tibia and femur. However, their knees aren’t the same as ours. They don’t have internal bones and thus don’t have patellas or kneecaps.
In this article, we’ll learn more about bee knees as we discuss the following:
- What are knees?
- Human vs bee knees
- Bee leg anatomy
- Functions of bee knees
What are Knees?
Before everything else, we need to understand and define knees. Here’s the definition of knees from the dictionary: [1]
- A: a joint in the middle part of the human leg that is the articulation between the femur, tibia, and patella.
Also: the part of the leg that includes this joint
- B:
- (1): The joint in the hind leg of a four-footed vertebrate that corresponds to the human knee
- (2): The carpal joint of the foreleg of a four-footed vertebrate
- C: The tarsal joint of a bird.
- D: The joint between the femur and tibia of an insect.
Bees are insects. Thus, from the definition alone, we can confirm that bees have knees.
Human Knees vs. Bee Knees
Per the dictionary definition, both humans and bees have knees. These knees are similar in that they join together the tibia and femur. They allow bees to bend their legs and navigate tight spaces, just like humans.
However, apart from this similarity, they couldn’t be further alike.
Bees are invertebrates. They don’t have internal bone structures like us. Instead, they have exoskeletons that shape and support their bodies. This means that bees don’t have patellas or kneecaps.
Bee knees are simpler than ours. They don’t have bone structures like tendons or ligaments. Instead, their knees and other leg segments are divided by simple ball-and-socket joints.
Bee Leg Anatomy
Bee legs consist of 5 main segments. These segments are the coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia, and tarsus. The bee tarsus is further divided into 5 subsegments called tarsomeres. These include the basitarsus, pretarsus, and 3 more tarsomeres. [2]
These divisions are listed according to distance from the body. Meaning the coxa is closest to the thorax.
Bee knees are between the femur and tibia. These are the 3rd and 4th segments and are generally the largest segments of the leg.
Functions of Bee Knees
As with other joints, bee knees allow for flexibility and movement. For instance, they let bees bend their legs and navigate tight spaces. It helps them crawl on flowers and their tight beehives.
The range of movement that their knees provide also helps with the following:
- Pollen collection
- Honeycomb construction
- Grooming
Related Questions
How Many Knees Do Bees Have?
Bees have 6 legs, and therefore, 6 knees. Each leg has one knee joint between the tibia and femur.
What Does the Phrase “Bee’s Knees” Mean?
The phrase “bee’s knees” means something is excellent or of high quality. For example, you may say “Have you seen my new phone? I think it’s the bee’s knees.”
The exact origin of the phrase is unknown. However, many believe it to have been coined by cartoonist Tad Dragan during the 1920’s. It likely arose as an imitation of other animal-related phrases. The same person is said responsible for coining “the cat’s pajamas”, and possibly for “hot dog”
Some people also believe that the phrase is simply a corruption of the word business. [3]
Do Bees Have Ankles?
The tarsus or 5th segment of the bee leg is referred to as the foot. Hence, the joint between the tibia and the tarsus may be considered an ankle.
What is a Bee’s Knees Cocktail?
The Bee’s Knees is a Prohibition-era cocktail made of gin, lemon juice, and honey. It’s an extension of the classic Gin Sour (gin, lemon, sugar) that features honey instead of sugar. [4]
Summary: Do Bees Have Knees?
To summarize, yes bees have knees. By definition, these knees are the joints between their femurs and tibias. Like ours, their knees allow for flexibility and movement. They help bees navigate, collect pollen, and groom themselves.
