Vespoidea

E84373

Vespoidea is a large superfamily of wasp-like insects that includes ants, social wasps, and related species within the order Hymenoptera.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf insect superfamily
taxon
class Insecta
contains numerous medically significant stinging species
distinguishedBy generally more robust bodies and often more developed stings than many Apoidea
distinguishedFrom Apoidea
distribution cosmopolitan
ecologicalRole pollinator
predator of other arthropods
soil aeration through nesting activities
firstAppearance Cretaceous period (as a group within Hymenoptera)
habitat terrestrial ecosystems worldwide
hasCharacteristic females typically possess a sting derived from the ovipositor
important in biological control of other insects
includes both social and solitary taxa
many species are important pollinators
many species are predators or parasitoids
many species exhibit eusocial behavior
most species have a constricted waist (petiole)
hasEconomicImpact some species are agricultural pests
some species cause painful stings to humans
some species provide natural pest control
hasMorphologicalFeature elbowed antennae in many groups
metasoma often separated from mesosoma by a narrow petiole
higherClassification Aculeata
includes Bradynobaenidae
Formicidae
Mutillidae
Pompilidae
Rhopalosomatidae
Sapygidae
Scoliidae
Tiphiidae
Vespidae
ants
social wasps
solitary wasps
includesBehavior complex social organization in many species
nest building
parental care of brood in many taxa
kingdom Animalia
order Hymenoptera
phylum Arthropoda
reproduction usually sexual reproduction with haplodiploid sex determination
sexDeterminationSystem haplodiploidy
suborder Apocrita
taxonRank superfamily
typeOf wasp-like insect group

Referenced by (5)

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