52 HYMENOPTERA. 



LESSON IV. 



ORDER OF HYMENOP'TERA. Organization Ichneumon Fly 



G alls Wasps Horn ets A n ts Bees . 

 ORDER OF RHIPIP'TERA. 



ORDER OF DIP'TERA. Mosquitoes Flies CEstrus. 

 CLASS OF MYRIA'PODA. Scolopendra. 



ORDER OF HYMENOP'TERA. 



1. Insects of the order of Hymenop'tera (from the Greek, 

 *u?nen, a membrane, and pteron, wing) have, like the Neurop'terse, 

 four membranous, naked wings, that is, they are without the 

 coloured dust-like scales which cover those of the Lepidop' terse ; 

 the mouth is composed of mandibles, which in general are very 

 different in form from those of triturating insects (tritores) ; but 

 the maxillse andjigula are elongated in such a manner as to con- 

 stitute a tube adapted exclusively to suction ; their wings are 

 veined, instead of being reticulated as in the Neurop'terse, and 

 the superior are always larger than the inferior. The tegumen- 

 tary envelope of these insects is not crustaceous ; besides the 

 compound eyes, they always have, three small simple eyes. 

 When in repose the wings are placed horizontally over the body. 

 The tarsi are composed of five complete articulations ; and the 

 abdomen is generally suspended from the posterior extremity of 

 the thorax, by a straight peduncle; and in the females this part 

 of the body is terminated by an ovipositor or sting. 



2. The metamorphosis of these insects is complete ; most of 

 the larvse are apodous, that is, without feet ; but some are pro- 

 vided with six or a greater number of legs. 



3. In the perfect state, almost all the Hymenop'terse live on 

 flowers, and many of them form numerous societies, the labours 

 of which are performed in common. In the larva state, some 

 feed on dead insects, others on vegetable substances, and when 

 these animals are unprovided with legs, and consequently in- 

 capable of seeking food, the mother places them, sometimes in 

 the bodies of animals at whose cost they are destined to live, 

 sometimes in nests, and then she or others of the society regularly 

 bring them food. 



1. What are the characters of Hymenop'terans ? 



2. What description of metamorphosis do they undergo ? 



3. What are the habits of the Hymenop'terae ? 



