CHAPTER VII 



THE HYMENOPTERA OR BEES, ANTS, WASPS 

 AND THEIR ALLIES 



The Hymenoptera, or membrane-winged insects, in- 

 clude the bees, ants, wasps and a host of less well-known 

 forms, nearly all of which are characterized by having 

 a combination of biting aftd sucking mouth parts. There 

 are four membranous wings in the great majority of the 

 Hymenoptera, and the females are provided either with 

 a sting, or an ovipositor which is usually adapted for 



FIG. 49. Honey bees. A, drone; B, queen; C, worker. (After Benton.) 



inserting the eggs into the tissues of plants or the bodies of 

 animals. This order includes the most highly developed 

 of the insects, many of which are remarkable for the num- 

 ber and perfection of their instincts. 



Among the higher Hymenoptera we find many instances 

 of a highly developed social life which is well exemplified 

 by our common hive bees. The hive bee community 

 is composed of three kinds of individuals, the queens, 

 the drones, and the workers. These three kinds or castes 

 differ considerably in structure, and much more in their 

 instinctive activities, for each caste has its particular 



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