What do excretory tubes in bees help with?

Excretory tubes in bees, known as Malpighian tubules, play a crucial role in waste removal. These structures are responsible for excreting nitrogenous waste products and maintaining the balance of water and ions in the bee's body. As bees metabolize food, waste products such as uric acid are generated. The Malpighian tubules collect these wastes from the hemolymph (the insect equivalent of blood) and help eliminate them, ensuring that the bee remains healthy and can function properly without the buildup of harmful substances.

In contrast, transporting pollen involves different structures, such as pollen baskets on the hind legs. Sleep regulation and temperature control are influenced by different physiological processes and systems within the bee, rather than being directly related to excretion. Thus, the primary and most accurate function attributed to the excretory tubes is indeed waste removal.