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David

Darling

Hymenoptera

Hymenopterans from different families.

Hymenopterans from different families; Clockwise from top-left: Red imported fire ant (Formicidae), Vespula vulgaris (Vespidae), Tenthredopsis sordida (Tenthredinidae), and Western honey bee (Apidae).


The Hymenoptera are an order of insects, containing sawflies, act, wasps, hornets, bees. All have a complete life cycle – egg, larva, pupa, and adult – and two pairs of membranous wings, which move together in flight. They are found worldwide, living solitarily or in social groups. The larvae (grubs or caterpillars) feed on plants or are parasitic or predaceous.