CHAP. XXIV 



INSECTA : HYMENOPTERA 



363 



behind the head, though the full number is not always visible 

 externally. 



The metamorphosis is great, and takes place during a 



resting pupal stage. The social habit is common, with a 



differentiation of castes of individuals in many of the 



Societies. 



Classifica- The following families of the Hymenoptera will 



tion. be considered here : — 



■ 1. Bees (Apidae). 



Series Aculeata ^- ^°"^^ ^^^P^ (Vespidae). 



(possessing a sting). f" Solitary Wasps CEi^^mda.). 



°' 4. Diggi-ngWaa^B (Pompihdae and Sphegidae). 



. 5. Ants (Formicidae). 



Series Parasitica [ 6. Saw-flies {Tenthredinidae). 



(having an ovipositor -i 7. Gall-fties (Gynipidae). 



instead of a sting). [ 8. Ichneumon-flies (Ichneumonidae). 



Family 1. Bees (Apidae). 



Bees are large insects with hairy bodies ; 

 many of them live socially in colonies with a 

 differentiation of the individuals into three 

 castes : queens, males, and workers (incom- 

 pletely developed females), all of which are 

 winged. The food consists of pollen and 

 nectar, the latter being obtained from flowers 

 by means of the lengthened modified mouth- 

 parts which form the proboscis characteristic 

 of the family (Fig. 289). 



The Honey Bee {Apis mellifica)} 



Constitution Honey bees live a social life in 

 of the communities of many thousands. 

 Colony. During the greater part of the 



^ Much of our knowledge of Bee life we owe to the 

 ingenious experiments devised by Francis Huber, the 

 blind naturalist. In spite of his great affliction, he 

 was able — owing to the help of his devoted servant, 

 Francis Burnens, who literally became eyes to him — to 

 devote himself for many years to the study of Bees, pub- 

 lishing in 1789 the results of his researches in a boolc entitled Nouvelles 

 Observations sur les Abeilles. 



Worker 



Dront. 



Fio. 287. 

 The Honey Bee 

 [Apis mellifica). 



