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Bees & Wasps
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Ants, Bees and Wasps
are all included in the Order Hymenoptera, which also includes chalcids,
ichneumons, and sawflies. It is one of the largest insect orders and
contains over 110,000 described species. Most of these insects are
between one in two inches in length, but some are smaller. They
usually have 4 membranous wings that have relatively few veins; their
mouthparts are designed for chewing and sucking; their antennae
usually have 10 or more segments; and in higher forms the ovipositor is
modified into a stinger.
Bees and wasps
are closely related; the principal biological difference is that bees
(except for parasitic bees) provide their young with a mixture of pollen
and honey, whereas wasps feed their young prepared animal food or
provision their nests with insects or spiders. There are also structural differences. Wasps are covered with unbranched hairs,
bees have at least a few branched or feathered hairs to which pollen
often clings. |
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Pepsis heros, Red Wasp
The great exception to the Hymenoptera size range,
this monster specimens fills a 7" x 8" frame.
Magnificent specimen.
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