Hymenoptera

Hymenoptera
Andrena sp.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Subclass:	Pterygota
Infraclass:	Neoptera
Superorder:	Endopterygota
Order:	Hymenoptera Linnaeus, 1758
Suborders
Apocrita Symphyta

The Hymenoptera is one of the larger orders of insect. It includes the bees, wasps, sawflies and ants. There are over 130,000 recognised species, with many more remaining to be described.^[1] The name is derived from the Greek words hymen meaning 'membrane' and ptera meaning 'wings. The hindwings are connected to the forewings by a series of hooks called hamuli.

Females typically have a special ovipositor for inserting eggs into hosts or otherwise inaccessible places. The ovipositor is often modified into a stinger. The young develop through complete metamorphosis — that is, they have a worm-like larval stage and an inactive pupal stage before they mature (See holometabolism).

1. ↑ Earthlife.net^{[permanent dead link]}