1. HYMENOPTERA
(wasps, bees, ants)

2. So far in classification
Exopterygota
Head with gula
Neuropteroid Orders
mandibulate
Hymenoptera
Diptera
Neoptera 2
Wings
larvae without legs 4
Mecoptera
Head without gula
Siphonaptera
No wings
rostrate
- Lepidoptera
Wings with scales
Mecopteroid orders
larvae with legs
- Trichoptera
Wings with hairs

3. Hexapod Orders Hymenoptera Hymen - membrane, ptera - wing
Number of Species
125,000
Common names
Wasps, bees, ants
Typical habitats
Diverse
Distinguishing characteristics
-hamulae for wing coupling
-ovipositor modified as stinger
-constricted ‘waist’
-aposematic colouration
Other features

4. Historical Hymenoptera
Egyptian tomb
Neolithic cave painting

5. Importance
Pollination

6. Importance
Biological control - Parasitoids

7. Distinguishing Features
1) Mouthparts (ancestral feature)

8. Distinguishing Features
2) Wing coupling (derived feature)
hamulae

9. Distinguishing Features
3) Abdominal modifications (derived feature)
Narrow “waist”

10. Distinguishing Features
3) Abdominal modifications

11. Distinguishing Features
3) Abdominal modifications

12. Distinguishing Features
First abdominal segment (propodeum)
3) Abdominal modifications

13. Distinguishing Features
3) Abdominal modifications - Stingers
Tergum 9
gonoplac
first gonapophysis (lancet)
second gonapophysis (stylet)

14. Distinguishing Features
3) Abdominal modifications - Stingers
second gonapophysis (stylet)
first gonapophysis (lancet)

15. Distinguishing Features
4) Social structure
Workers
Males
(drones)
Queen

16. Distinguishing Features
4) Social structure
Comparison with Isoptera
Hymenoptera
Isoptera
Worker is adult
Worker is nymph
Drone is N
Whole colony is 2N
Drone is for fertilization only
King is part of colony
No specialized worker classes
Soldier is specialized worker

17. Distinguishing Features
5) Haplodiploid sex determination
Most animals
Hymenoptera x x 2N N 2N 2N
Worker/Sisters – related by 75%
Siblings – related by 50%

18. Hymenoptera - Classification
Vespoidea
Symphyta
Sphecoidea
Formicoidea
Ichneumonoidea
Apoidea
Chalcidoidea
Aculeata
Parasitica
Free living
Parasitoids
Apocrita
No ‘waist’
‘waist’
Hymenoptera

19. Hymenoptera - Classification
2 Suborders
1) Symphyta (sawflies)
- no ‘waist’

20. Sawfly Damage

21. Hymenoptera - Classification
Vespoidea
Symphyta
Sphecoidea
Formicoidea
Ichneumonoidea
Apoidea
Chalcidoidea
Aculeata
Parasitica
Free living
Parasitoids
Apocrita
No ‘waist’
‘waist’
Hymenoptera

22. Hymenoptera - Classification
2 Suborders
2) Apocrita
- waist - includes most Hymenoptera
Aculeata (stinging forms)
Parasitica (piercing forms)

23. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies
1) Formicoidea - ants
Formicidae

24. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies
1) Formicoidea - ants
Formicidae
Carpenter ant
Army ants
Leafcutter ants

25. Carpenter ant damage

26. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies
2) Apoidea - bees
Bumblebee
Honey bee
Sweat bee

27. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies
3) Vespoidea - wasps, hornets, yellowjackets
Yellowjacket
Paperwasp
Baldfaced Hornet

28. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies
3) Vespoidea - Nests
Yellowjacket
Baldfaced Hornet

29. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies
3) Vespoidea - Nests
Paperwasp (Polistes)

30. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies
4) Sphecoidea - digger wasps, mud daubers, potters
Digger wasp
Potter wasp
Mud dauber wasp

31. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies
4) Sphecoidea - nests
Digger wasp
Potter wasp
Mud dauber wasp

32. Hymenoptera - Classification
Vespoidea
Symphyta
Sphecoidea
Formicoidea
Ichneumonoidea
Apoidea
Chalcidoidea
Aculeata
Parasitica
Free living
Parasitoids
Apocrita
No ‘waist’
‘waist’
Hymenoptera

33. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies - Parasitica
5) Chalcidoidea

34. Hymenoptera - Classification
Superfamilies - Parasitica
Ichneumonoidea