What is the purpose of the corbiculae in drones?

The corbiculae, often referred to as pollen baskets, are specialized structures found on the legs of bees, but they are not present in drones specifically. Drones are male bees and do not collect pollen; instead, this role is typically fulfilled by worker bees. Therefore, while the mating process does involve drones latching onto the queen, the corbiculae themselves do not serve this function. Their primary function is to collect and transport pollen for worker bees.

The correct understanding of the corbiculae's purpose is that they are crucial for the foraging activities of worker bees, as they allow these bees to efficiently gather and carry pollen back to the hive for feeding the brood and for making bee bread. In the context of drones, they lack corbiculae because they do not engage in foraging and, instead, are specifically designed for mating with the queen.

Thus, while the option about latching onto the queen might involve drones, it does not accurately reflect the purpose of the corbiculae, which is not applicable to them at all.