What is Hymenoptera?
{{Taxobox | name = Hymenoptera | image = Hymenoptere(s).jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''[[Andrena]]'' sp. | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropoda]] | classis = [[Insect]]a | subclassis = [[Pterygota]] | infraclassis = [[Neoptera]] | superordo = [[Endopterygota]] | ordo = '''Hymenoptera''' | ordo_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]] | subdivision_ranks = [[Suborders]] | subdivision = [[Apocrita]]<br /> [[Symphyta]] }} The '''Hymenoptera''' is one of the larger orders of [[insect]]. It includes the [[bee]]s, [[wasp]]s, [[sawflies]] and [[ant]]s. There are over 130,000 recognised species, with many more remaining to be described.<ref>[http://www.earthlife.net/insects/hymenop.htmlenoptera Earthlife.net]{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The name is derived from the [[Ancient Greek language|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 [[sting]]er. 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]]). == Sub-order Symphyta == These are the sawflies, the most primitive Hymenoptera. Their adults do not have a narrow 'waist' between the [[thorax]] and [[abdomen]]. The female's ovipositor is adapted to [[burrow]]ing or [[saw]]ing into the [[substrate]], usually plant tissue. == Sub-order Apocrita == These, the bees, wasps and ants, have a 'waist' between the thorax and abdomen. They are by far the most numerous Hymenoptera, and include the famous groups of [[colony (biology)|colonial]] insects. In fact, the group with the most species is not colonial; it is the vast number of [[parasitoid]] wasps, such as the [[Ichneumon]]s. == Evolution == Hymenoptera orig