INSECTS HYMENOPTERA -DIAGRAM 6. 



135 



exhibit tlie most remarkable 

 habits ; the bee and the 

 ant. It is characterised 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 

 Hornet. complete. The females 



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

 perfect state. 



The Tenthredinidcc or saicfties 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 larvso which emerge 

 from them eat the leaves and 

 buds of fruit trees, and injure 

 Tenthredo. them very much. 



The lees 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 tvorkers, 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 thorax 

 is hairy, and their legs are not adapted for working, like those 

 of the workers. They consequently perform no labour. 



The female or queen has a very long abdomen. Her legs are 

 not adapted for working, and she has no other occupation than 

 laying egga. There is never more than one queen in a hive. 



