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HYMENOPTERA, APOCRITA
The Apocrita differ from the Symphyta in having a constricted base of
their abdomen. The thorax appears as
for segments with the propodeum being the first abdominal segment fused with
the thoracic segments. The hind wings
do not have more than two basal cells. The larvae are usually grub like or
maggot like and vary in feeding habits; some are parasitic or predatory on
other insects, while others are phytophagous. The adults feed primarily on
flowers, sap, and other plant materials; some of the parasitic species
occasionally feed on the body fluids of the host in a behavior known As "host feeding." Many species in
this are parasitoids in the larval stage on other insects (or other
invertebrates) and, because of their abundance, are very important in the
natural balance of insect populations. Most of the parasitic Apocrita lay
their eggs on or in the body of the host, and many have a long ovipositor
with which hosts in cocoons, burrows, or other protected situations may be
reached. In some cases only a single egg is laid on a host; in others,
several to many eggs may be laid on the same host. A single parasitoid
attacking a host usually pupates inside the host; where there are many
parasitoids in the same host, they may pupate inside it, on the outside of
it, or entirely away from it. Some species are parthenogenetic. Polyembryony
is found in a few species. Some of the parasitic species are hyperparasitoids
(Borror et al. 1989). References: Please refer to
<Link 1>, [Additional references may be found at: Link
2] |