Hymenoptera are invertebrates that include the wasps, bees, and ants, with an estimated 150,000 living species. The Order Hymenpotera evolved about 281 million years ago, based on current evidence. Characteristics of Hymenoptera generally include two pairs of wings, chewing mouthparts, and an ovipositor for inserting eggs in various places. Often, the ovipositor is modified into a stinger.
Kingdom: Animalia
-Phylum: Arthropoda
–Class: Insecta
—Order Hymenoptera
I have photographed 7 species of Hymenoptera so far:
–American Bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus)
–Blue-banded Bee (Amegilla pajara)
–Canary Black Bee (Apis mellifera)
–Hawaiian Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sonorina)
–Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus insularis)
–Paper Wasp (Polistes exclamans)
–Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
–Elegent Tarantula Hawk (Pepis menechema)