CHAPTER XII 



HYMENOPTERA 



THE bees, the wasps, the ants and a host of other 

 smaller insects comprise this order. It ranks second to 

 none in its biologic and economic importance. In its 



economic status it is rather 

 beneficial than otherwise, 

 which will be brought out 

 later in the discussion of 

 the different groups. 



94. General Character- 

 istics. Hymenoptera have 

 four wings, membranous 

 throughout, which usually 

 have few veins. With few 

 exceptions the front wings 

 are the larger. A row of 

 hooks on the hind wing, 

 which fasten in a fold in 

 the front wing, hold the two 

 together so firmly that the 



beginner may easily mis- 



FIG. 105. Swarm of Bees Clus- J 



tered in Grape-vine. take them for one wing. 



The mouth-parts of Hymen- 

 optera are formed typically for biting. In many in- 

 stances there is also a modification of some parts of the 

 mouth to form a sucking tube. Many of the best-known 

 members of the group have this adaptation. Development 



142 



