Hymenoptera

The Hymenoptera are a diverse order of insects in Europe, that includes over 40,000 species, and 6.500 in the UK.such as bees, wasps, ants, and sawflies. They range from 2 mm (fairyflies) to 40 mm (hornet queens), featuring two pairs of membranous wings and a narrow waist in many species. Adults often have stingers (modified ovipositors) for defense or prey capture, notable examples are the honeybee (Apis mellifera) and common wasp (Vespula vulgaris). Larvae are legless and typically feed on wood, plants, or other insects. They play key roles in pollination (bees), predation (wasps), and social colony life (ants), with lifecycles involving egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages, often spanning weeks to years.

The order can be split into two groups the Symphyta (sawflies) with no waist, and the Apocrita (the rest) where the waist is very narrow. The Symphyta are the most primitive members, whilst the Apocrita contain highly advanced and specialized insects.