With the exception of the sawflies, the Hymenopterans have a narrow waist between their abdomen and thorax. Many have two pairs of wings through their adult stages and they have large compound eyes. Male hymenopterans have only half the number of chromosomes in their cells (haploid). Females have specialised egg laying tubes that can cut, saw or inject the eggs into substrates or hosts. Sometimes the ovipositor can also inject a venom. Th most ancient of the group are the sawflies (Symphyta) which have larvae that cluster together and eat plant material. The Apocrita can be parasites, predators, honey producers, fungi-feeding or detritus-feeders. Some of hymenopterans such as ants and bees have formed complex social structures. Many hymenopterans are very important bio-control agents for other pest species. There are about 15000 species of Hymenopterans in Australia, split amongst eighteen superfamilies.
Direct family links A-Z
Ampulicidae Aphelinidae Apidae Aulacidae Bethylidae Braconidae Ceraphronidae Chalcididae Chrysididae Colletidae Crabronidae Diapriidae Dryinidae Encyrtidae Eucharitidae Eulophidae Eupelmidae Eurytomidae Evaniidae Figitidae Formicidae Gasteruptiidae Halictidae Ichneumonidae Megachilidae Megalyridae Megastigmidae Mutillidae Mymaridae Pergidae Perilampidae Platygastridae Pompilidae Proctotrupidae Pteromalidae Scelionidae Sphecidae Tenthredinidae Trigonalidae Tiphiidae Torymidae Vespidae
Quick Visual Finder
Superfamily Apoidea (Bees. Mudwasps and Sphecid wasps)
Superfamily Chalcidoidea (Chalcid Wasps)
Superfamily Chrysidoidea (Cuckoo, Dryinid and Bethylid Wasps)
Superfamily Evanioidea (Hatchet, Gasteruptiid and Aulacid Wasps)
Superfamily Tenthredinoidea (Sawflies)
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Superfamily Siricoidea (Wood wasps / Sirex wasps)
(Currently empty)
Superfamily Xiphydrioidea (Wood wasps)
(Currently empty)
Superfamily Orussoidea (Parasitic wood wasps)
(Currently empty)
Superfamily Stephanoidea (Crown Wasps)
(Currently empty)
Superfamily Mymarommatoidea
Microscopic. (Currently empty)
References
Gleeson, Michelle (2016), Miniature Lives : Identifying Insects in Your Home and Garden, CSIRO PUBLISHING, Melbourne
Naumann I.D. (1991) Chapter 42 Hymenoptera in Insects of Australia, Volume 2: A Textbook for Students and Research Workers. 2nd Edition. Melbourne University Publishing pp 916-100