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![]() ![]() Metamorphoses: complete North American Families: 78 North American Species: 17200 |
Hymenoptera
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Description: Hymenoptera have four wings that are joined together by a row of very small hooks, called hamuli. The wings are membranous and have relatively few veins. The front wings are much larger than the hind wings. Some Hymenoptera are wingless. In all Hymenoptera except the sawflies, the abdomen is joined to the thorax by a very narrow connection. The antennae are usually long with many segments. The female ovipositor is usually well-developed and is modified into a sting in many families. Hymenoptera have chewing mouthparts. |
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Comments: This order contains many beneficial species such as bees that pollinate crops and provide honey and wax. Many Hymenoptera are also beneficial parasites of pest insects. Many groups of Hymenoptera such as the ants, bees and some wasps have complex social organization. Some Hymenoptera are also pests. The sting of many Hymenoptera can be very painful to humans and sometimes even fatal to persons who are allergic to their venom. | |||
Families in this Order |
![]() Apidae: Bumble bees, honey bees, and orchid bees Size: 10 to 25 mm |
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![]() Braconidae: Braconid wasps Size: 2 to 15 mm |
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![]() Chalcidoidea (Superfamily): chalcid wasps, jewel wasps Size: 1 to 8 mm |
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![]() Chrysididae: cuckoo wasps Size: 2 to 12 mm |
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![]() Cimbicidae: Cimbicid sawflies Size: 15 to 25 mm |
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![]() Cynipoidea (Superfamily): Gall wasps Size: 1 to 30 mm |
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![]() Diprionidae: Conifer sawflies Size: |
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![]() Formicidae: Ants Size: 1 to 25 mm |
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![]() Halictidae: Halictid bees Size: 5 to 15 mm |
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![]() Megachilidae: Leafcutting bees Size: 10 to 20 mm |
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![]() Pelecinidae: Pelecinid wasps Size: 20 to 70 mm |
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![]() Pompilidae: Spider wasps Size: 10 to 25 mm |
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![]() Siricidae: Horntails, wood wasps Size: 25 to 50 mm |
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![]() Sphecidae: Thread-waisted wasps, mud-daubers Size: 2 to 40 mm |
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![]() Tenthredinidae: Common sawflies Size: 3 to 20 mm |
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![]() Vespidae: Paper wasps, yellowjackets, hornets Size: 10 to 30 mm |
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