Hymenoptera Collection (#10)

Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera), worker bee, side view

Female parasitic wasp
A female parasitic wasp inspecting an oak apple which she will pierce with her ovipositor to lay her eggs

Pepsis sp. Tarantula hawk
Watercolour and ink from Drawings of Mandibulata Insects of India, Thomas Hardwicke Collection; 1821 Date: 1821

Spiders, insects and hummingbird on guava tree
Hand-coloured engraving based on Maria Sibylla Merian watercolour. From Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, 1726 edition. Date: 1726

African Driver Ant, Dorylus nigricans, carrying a beetle pupa, side view

Giant Wood Wasp, Urocerus gigas, front view

Sawfly species (Allantus scrophularia)

Gall of a Gall Wasp or Gallfly (Cynipidae), on the leaf of an Elm tree (Ulmus), Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Brood comb with drone brood surrounded by worker bees -Apis mellifera var. carnica-

Honey bees -Apis mellifera var carnica-, worker bees and male drones on bright honeycomb

Bee -Apis sp. - on Borage -Borago officinalis-, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe
Bee -Apis sp.- on Borage -Borago officinalis-, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

Two honey bees, left, Carnian -Apis mellifera var carnica-, right, a hybrid Italian Bee -Apis ligustica bast.- on honeycomb with a propolis coating

Ant anus, SEM C018 / 0550
Ant anus, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Ants excrete bodily waste through a single orifice, their anus, which is located at the tip of the abdomen

Bee head, SEM C018 / 0546
Bee head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is the head of a small bumblebee. Flying insects often have two sets of eyes, coloured pink here

Wasp eye. Close-up of one of the compound eyes of a wasp (order Hymenoptera), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Bullet ant C018 / 2481
Bullet ant. Close-up of a bullet ant (Paraponera clavata), showing its large jaws (mandibles, centre). Bullet ants get their name from their powerful and potent sting

Cretaceous of Brazil, prehistoric scene C013 / 7112
Cretaceous of Brazil. Artwork of a coastal lagoon scene reconstructed from fossils in the Crato Formation of Brazil (108 million years ago, during the Cretaceous)

Myrmecodia beccarii, anthouse plant
Finished watercolour by John Frederick Miller from an outline drawing by Sydney Parkinson, made during Captain James Cooks first voyage across the Pacific, 1768-1771

Alaptus magnanimus, fairy fly
Fairy flies are among the tiniest insects on our planet measuring in at around 0.21mm long

Asilidae, robber flies

Hymenoptera specimens
A case containing various Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps and their allies) specimens, held at the Natural History Museum, London

Bombus sp. bumble bee
Side-view mid-flight photograph of a bumble bee, photograph taken in the U.K

Gigantiops destructor, South American jumping ant
High magnification image made with a scanning electron microscope of the head of a South American jumping ant. Image coloured artificially by a computer

Ant, SEM
Ant (family Formicidae), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). One of its compound eyes (black) is seen, as well as two long antennae that are mounted on the head between the eyes

Mason Wasp - collecting water from birdbath for making mud for nest building
ASW-4771 Mason Wasp - collecting water from birdbath for making mud for nest building Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Synagris analis Occurs in eastern areas of southern Africa. Alan J. S

Emerald Cockroach Wasp or Jewel Wasp (Ampulex compressa), side view, close up

Bumble Bee (Bombus), close up, side view

Picture No. 12009481
Carpenter bee - female collecting nectar from flowers of September Butterfly Bush (Polygala myrtifolia) - thorax has been dusted with pollen grains - Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa Date:

Macro image of a spiny ant, Polyrhachis sp. on a blade of grass
Macro image of a Spiny Ant, Polyrhachis sp. on a blade of grass, Ulu Yam, Selangor, Malaysia

Tachytes sp. Sand-loving wasp
Watercolour and ink from Drawings of Mandibulata Insects of India, Thomas Hardwicke Collection; 1821 Date: 1821

Picture No. 11808338
Western honey bee or European honey bee (Apis mellifera) collecting pollen from flower, Piedmont, Italy Date:

Picture No. 11806884
Ichneumon Wasp Ichneumon Wasp on leaf Klungkung Bali Indonesia Date:

Black ant, close up

Asian Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa sp. top view

Parasitic bee, front view

Bees and larvae inside beehive

Common Wasp, Vespula vulgaris, perched on a green leaf, front view

Paper Wasp, Polistes sp. front view

Dorylus nigricans, African Driver Ants entering a wasps nest, front view

Swarm of bees hovering around flowerhead, elevated view

Bumblebee with transparent wings

Illustration, red Leafcutter Ant (Atta sp. ) carrying partially eaten leaf in its mouth, side view
Illustration, red Leafcutter Ant (Atta sp.) carrying partially eaten leaf in its mouth, side view

An eye of a bee, cross-section diagram

Cross-section diagram of abdomen of Wasp (Hymenoptera), including sting and venom sac, side view

Insect in flight, cross section diagram showing horizontal and vertical muscles

Aerial Yellowjackets at paper nest (Vespinae) (Hymenoptera) Yasuni National Park, Amazon Rainforest, ECUADOR. South America

Two wasps, 3D graphics

Hoverfly on Wolfs bane, Mountain arnica (Arnica montana)

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"Hymenoptera: The Intricate World of Bees, Ants, and Orchids" Delve into the fascinating world of Hymenoptera, a diverse group of insects that includes honey bees (Apis mellifera), leaf cutter ants (Atta sp), and even orchids like Ophrys apifera. Let's start with the industrious honey bees. Apis mellifera is known for its intricate honeycomb structures and remarkable life cycle. From egg to larva to pupa, these tiny creatures undergo a transformation that culminates in their emergence as fully developed bees. Explore an expanded cross-section of their hive and marvel at the insets showcasing their diligent work. Moving on to internal anatomy, get a glimpse inside the body of a Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) through a detailed cross-section. Discover how every organ plays a crucial role in their survival and efficient functioning within the colony. Venturing into Costa Rica's lush landscapes, witness Leaf cutter ants (Atta sp) diligently carrying plant matter back to their nests. These tireless workers demonstrate incredible strength as they transport pieces of leaves across various terrains. Nature never ceases to amaze us with its mimicry; behold the enchanting Ophrys apifera or bee orchid. This beautiful flower has evolved over time to resemble female bees, attracting male counterparts for successful pollination. Zooming in closer, observe Leaf-cutter ants meticulously carrying sections of leaves in stunning detail captured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their teamwork and resourcefulness are truly admirable. In Welder Wildlife Refuge at Sinton lies another captivating sight - Apis mellifera buzzing around wild honey cones. Witness this mesmerizing display as these European honey bees feed on ice plant flowers (Sedum spectabile), contributing to nature's delicate balance. A digital composite showcases an impressive line-up of Leaf-cutter ants marching in unison, carrying leaves to their colony.