In nesting bumblebees, it is modified to form a , a bare shiny area surrounded by a fringe of hairs used to transport , whereas in cuckoo bees, the hind leg is hairy all round, and they never carry pollen.
Commercial production began in 1987, when Roland De Jonghe founded the Biobest company; in 1988 they produced enough nests to pollinate 40 hectares of tomatoes.
Their self made char siew may look anaemic to some a sign that the meat is not overdosed on artificial colouring or sugar but it tastes delicious.