I went to great lengths to study each sclerite of the honey bee exoskeleton and this model features the majority of the honey bee's actual exoskeleton. As a result, there are several happy accidents in the behavior of the thorax, abdomen, and mandibles. This project has illuminated some of the functional properties of the bee exoskeleton, such as rotation clearance in the legs, as well as the distortion of the thoracic box.

I have now built two versions of the bee from this template. The first was about 16" long and the legs are hinged with small beads and fishing line for axles. The second was much smaller at only 9" long and the legs were glued to flexible twine so they are articulated, and slightly stiffer than the larger bee.

The plan is to continue refining this design and trying new methods of construction and posing the final form. In time, I may embed electronics and motors to flap the wings, create noise, light, or sense the environment.