Hymenoptera
Hymenoptera
Hymenoptera (pronounced: hi-men-OP-ter-uh) is a large order of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants. The name Hymenoptera refers to the wings of the insects, and is derived from the Ancient Greek words hymen meaning "membrane" and pteron meaning "wing". The order is a diverse group with over 150,000 described species, with many more remaining to be described.
Etymology
The term Hymenoptera comes from the Ancient Greek words hymen meaning "membrane" and pteron meaning "wing". The name refers to the membranous wings of the insects in this order.
Description
Hymenoptera species range in size from tiny parasitic wasps a few millimeters in length, to large sawflies and ants. They are characterized by having two pairs of wings, with the hind wings smaller than the forewings. The order also includes some of the most social of insects, such as bees and ants, which often form large colonies.
Related Terms
- Sawflies: A suborder of Hymenoptera, known for their plant-eating larvae.
- Wasps: A diverse group within the Hymenoptera, with over 30,000 known species.
- Bees: A group of insects known for their role in pollination and producing honey and beeswax.
- Ants: A family of social insects, known for their highly organized colonies.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hymenoptera
- Wikipedia's article - Hymenoptera
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