Editing Hymenoptera (section)

==Anatomy==
[[File:Bombus muscorum1.jpg|thumb|''[[Bombus muscorum]]'' drinking nectar with its long proboscis]]
Hymenopterans range in size from very small to large insects, and usually have two pairs of wings. Their [[insect mouthparts|mouthparts]] are adapted for chewing, with well-developed [[Mandible (insect mouthpart)|mandible]]s (ectognathous mouthparts). Many species have further developed the mouthparts into a lengthy [[proboscis]], with which they can drink liquids, such as [[nectar]]. They have large [[compound eyes]], and typically three simple eyes, [[ocelli]].

The forward margin of the hind wing bears a number of hooked bristles, or "[[hamuli]]", which lock onto the fore wing, keeping them held together. The smaller species may have only two or three hamuli on each side, but the largest wasps may have a considerable number, keeping the wings gripped together especially tightly. Hymenopteran wings have relatively few veins compared with many other insects, especially in the smaller species.

In the more ancestral hymenopterans, the [[ovipositor]] is blade-like, and has evolved for slicing plant tissues. In the majority, however, it is modified for piercing, and, in some cases, is several times the length of the body. In some species, the ovipositor has become modified as a [[stinger]], and the [[egg (biology)|eggs]] are laid from the base of the structure, rather than from the tip, which is used only to inject [[venom]]. The sting is typically used to immobilize prey, but in some wasps and bees may be used in defense.<ref name=IIBD/>

Hymenopteran larvae typically have a distinct head region, three thoracic segments, and usually nine or 10 abdominal segments. In the suborder [[Symphyta]], the [[eruciform]] larvae resemble [[caterpillar]]s in appearance, and like them, typically feed on leaves. They have large chewing mandibles, three pairs of thoracic limbs, and, in most cases, six or eight abdominal [[proleg]]s. Unlike caterpillars, however, the prolegs have no grasping spines, and the antennae are reduced to mere stubs. Symphytan larvae that are wood borers or stem borers have no abdominal legs and the thoracic legs are smaller than those of non-borers.

With rare exceptions, larvae of the suborder [[Apocrita]] have no legs and are [[maggot]]like in form, and are adapted to life in a protected environment. This may be the body of a host organism, or a cell in a nest, where the adults will care for the larva. In parasitic forms, the head is often greatly reduced and partially withdrawn into the prothorax (anterior part of the thorax). Sense organs appear to be poorly developed, with no ocelli, very small or absent antennae, and toothlike, sicklelike, or spinelike mandibles. They are also unable to defecate until they reach adulthood due to having an incomplete digestive tract (a blind sac), presumably to avoid contaminating their environment.<ref name=IIBD/> The larvae of stinging forms ([[Aculeata]]) generally have 10 pairs of spiracles, or breathing pores, whereas parasitic forms usually have nine pairs present.<ref name="Missouri2007">{{cite book |last=Hunt |first=James H. |title=The Evolution of Social Wasps |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bFMoSxCVSVIC&pg=PA12 |date=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |isbn=978-0-19-804207-5 |page=12}}</ref>