INSECTS HYMENOPTERA DIAGRAM 6. 



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ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 



The order Hymenoptera includes the two insects which 

 exhibit the most remark- 

 able habits. the bee and 

 the ant. It is characterized 

 by the possession of four 

 wings of similar structure, 

 but the nervures of which 

 are longitudinal, instead of 

 being finely interlaced like 

 the wings of Neuroptera. 

 Their metamorphoses are 

 complete. The females Hornet. 



have often a sting at the extremity of the abdomen, in the perfect 

 state. 



The Tenthredinidce or Saivflies have a prolongation at the end of 

 the abdomen, or rather, a borer, dentated like a saw, from 

 which they derive their name. 

 The female bores holes in the 

 bark of plants with this instru- 

 ment, and deposits an egg in 

 each. The larva? which emerge 

 from them eat the leaves and 

 buds of fruit trees, and injure 

 them very much. 



The Bees live in society, and work in common. A hive is 

 never inhabited by more than a single society. This is always 

 composed of several males, one female, and a great number of 

 bees, called ivorkers, or neuters, which are undeveloped and sterile 

 females. We find a similar arrangement in the societies of 

 ants. 



The Males, or Drones, are larger than the workers ; their 



Tenthredo. 



