hymenoptera
The Hymenoptera are described as being a holometabolous (having a complete metamorphosis) group, with generally apodous (without legs) larvae, exarate (with the appendages free, not glued to the body) pupa and a cocoon. [1]
The name Hymenoptera is derived from the Greek words “hymen” meaning membrane and “ptera” meaning wings. [2]
Our research focuses primarily on the systematics, phylogeny and biogeography of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera). [3]
A large order of insects including ants, wasps, bees, sawflies, and related forms; head, thorax and abdomen are clearly differentiated; wings, when present, and legs are attached to the thorax. [4]
Herbivory is common among the primitive Hymenoptera (suborder Symphyta), in the gall wasps (Cynipidae), and in some of the ants and bees. [2]
The Hymenoptera with over 130 000 named species are a contender for the second largest order of insects in the world, the Beetles (Coleoptera) boast a the greatest number of species. [1]
The large hunting wasps are agile predators that catch and paralyze insects (or spiders) as food for their offspring. [2]
Chalcidoid wasps rank numerically among the largest groups of insects, with estimates of as many as 500,000 species; however, the fauna is poorly known. [3]
The Hymenoptera are exceedingly important insects from mans point of view for three main reasons, Firstly they include the Bees who as everybody knows make Honey and Wax, secondly because a lot of the parasites and the Ants are important enemies of crop pests, ants consume huge numbers of lepidopteran caterpillars as well as other pests and were first deliberately used to protect plants from pests in China 4 000 years ago when species of Oecophylla were encouraged to live in fruit trees because their presence was known to improve fruit yeilds. [1]
Fertilized eggs get two sets of chromosomes (one from each parent’s respective gametes), and so develop into diploid females, while unfertilized eggs only contain one set (from the mother), and so develop into haploid males; the act of fertilization is under the voluntary control of the egg-laying female. [5]
Within the Hymenoptera are the Aculeates or stinging insects, these are all the Bees ants and wasps as well as a few smaller groups such as the Ruby Tailed Wasps and the Velvet Ants. [1]
Hymenoptera is one of the larger orders of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. [5]
Hymenoptera is a worldwide order of at least 100,000 described species, more biologically diverse than any other insect order. [4]
The name is appropriate not only for the membranous nature of the wings, but also for the manner in which they are “joined together as one” by the hamuli. [...] Most species are rather narrowly adapted to specific habitats and/or specific hosts. [2]
Sources:
[1] Gordon’s Hymenoptera Page
[2] Hymenoptera
[3] Home - Hymenopteran Systematics at UCR
[4] Hymenoptera: Definition from Answers.com
[5] Hymenoptera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia