Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies

Hymenoptera

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hymenoptera: //ˌhaɪməˈnɒptərə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Braconid female (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) by Insects Unlocked. Used under a CC0 license.

Miscogaster anbormicolor by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Tachysphex formosanus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Decatoma rufosa by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Monodontomerus brevicrus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Perilampus muesebecki by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Hymenoptera is a large, diverse order of insects that includes sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants, known for their ecological roles, especially in pollination and predator-prey relationships.

Physical Characteristics

Hymenopterans typically have two pairs of wings, membranous wings connected by hamuli, chewing mouthparts often modified into a proboscis, and variable body sizes ranging from 0.2 to 115 mm.

Identification Tips

Look for the distinctive waist (petiole) in Apocrita, and the absence of a waist in Symphyta. Identification can be down to subfamily level based on wing vein structures and ovipositor morphology.

Habitat

Hymenoptera inhabit diverse environments, including forests, gardens, grasslands, and wetlands. They can be found in most ecosystems due to their ecological roles.

Distribution

Over 150,000 species described worldwide, predominantly in temperate and tropical regions.

Diet

Feeding habits vary widely; some species are phytophagous (feeding on pollen, nectar, and plant tissues), while others are predators or parasitoids. Some adults take nectar, while larvae of some wasps provision their young with meat.

Life Cycle

Complete metamorphosis (holometabolism) with distinct egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages.

Reproduction

Sex is determined by chromosome number; fertilized eggs develop into diploid females, while unfertilized eggs develop into haploid males. Haplodiploidy influences social behaviors and genetics.

Conservation Status

Hymenoptera are highly susceptible to habitat loss, impacting their populations and ecological roles as pollinators.

Ecosystem Role

Essential as pollinators, predators of other insects, and as parasitoids. They contribute to ecological balance and biodiversity.

Evolution

Originated in the Triassic with significant evolutionary events occurring during the Cretaceous; includes extensive morphological and molecular studies for phylogenetic relationships.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

The notion that all Hymenoptera are dangerous due to the presence of stingers; many species are non-stinging and ecologically beneficial.