Hymenoptera (Sawflies, Bees, Wasps & Ants)

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