![]() | Bees, Wasps and Ants of North America Index Order Hymenoptera Live bees, wasps, sawflies, ants photographed in the wild at North American locations. Insects & Spiders | Stinging Hymenoptera | Bees & Wasps Main | Beetles Index |
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Hymenoptera (Latin for membrane wing) is a vast assemblage of insects second only to Coleoptera (beetles) in the number of described species. Hymenoptera number some 115,000 species vs. 350,000 in Coleoptera. 18,000 of these species call North America north of Mexico home. Hymenopterans inhabit a wide variety of habitats, and show an incredible diversity in size, behavior, structure and color. Insects & Spiders | Stinging Hymenoptera | Bees & Wasps Main | Beetles Index |