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Despite the legend, entomologists have known for years how this insect, genus Bombus, can fly.

a) Mosquito
b) Butterfly
c) Bumblebee
d) Dragonfly

User AKL
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Final answer:

The insect referred to by 'genus Bombus' is the bumblebee, which can fly due to rapid wing flapping and the generation of vortices. The myth that bumblebees should not be able to fly has long been disproven by entomologists. Bumblebees have a unique wing structure and undergo metamorphosis like many other insects.

Step-by-step explanation:

The genus Bombus refers to the group of insects known as bumblebees. Bumblebees are well known for their robust bodies and ability to fly despite the old myth that their wings should not be capable of supporting their flight. This myth has been debunked by entomologists, who have understood the mechanics of bumblebee flight for quite some time. Unlike creatures such as the house fly or blow fly, bumblebees use a rapid flapping motion and the generation of vortices to lift their heavier bodies.

The wing structure of a bumblebee, similar to that of a honeybee, is distinct from the wings of birds such as dragonflies, termites, beetles, ants, and cockroaches, although they all serve the same function - enabling flight. Insects, including bumblebees, undergo a process called metamorphosis where they transform from larva to pupa to adult, which contributes to their functional adaptations at different life stages.

User Couz
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