2: Hymenoptera

Question 1

Describe the synapomorphies of the Hymenoptera

Answer 1

• Unique labio-maxillary complex (sucking tongue/glossa)
• Apical, tibial spur (antennal cleaning)
• Hamuli (wing coupling mechanism)
• Haplodiploid (haploid males come from unfertilised eggs, diploid females (fertilised)

Question 2

Define Ectoparasitoid

Answer 2

feeds externally on host, host is paralysed

Question 3

Define Endoparasitoid

Answer 3

feeds internally on host, via oviposition

Question 4

Define Primary parasitoid

Answer 4

parasitises the primary host

Question 5

Define hyperparasitoid

Answer 5

parasitises a primary parasitoid

Question 6

Name some families within the superfaily Vespoidea

Answer 6

Includes (social and solitary) wasps, ants and hornets

Question 7

Define Apoidea

Answer 7

Superfamily WITHIN the hymenoptera comprising the Apidae (bees) and the Spheciformes (sphecoid wasps)

Question 8

Name 2 characteristics associated with the evolution of pollen feeding in bees

Answer 8

Hairs (Scopa) for pollen carrying
Pollen baskets (Corbicula)

Question 9

What are cleptoparasitic bees characterised by?

Answer 9

Lack of pollen manipulating and carrying structures
- eggs are smaller but larger numbers are ready to be laid
- Usually the first stage parasitic larave specialised for killing

Question 10

Describe eusociality

Answer 10

Division of labour
Group living and cooperative care of offspring
Overlapping gens

Question 11

Compare primitive and advanced eusociality

Answer 11

Primitive:
- Reproductivive division is not morphologically fixed
- New colonies fromed by a single foundstress

Advanced:
- Reproductive division is morphologically distinct
- Swarming

Question 12

Describe the key features of the Diptera

Answer 12

‘true flies’
- One pair of wings
- One pair of halteres (balancing organs used for balancing in flight)
- Specialised mouthparts designed for sucking etc.
- Apodous larva (= reduced/no feet)
- Large compound eyes

Question 13

Give some reasons why the Diptera are incredibly diverse

Answer 13

Apodous larva, acephalic, with specialised mouth parts
- Of all insect groups, flies have probably the biggest divergence between larval and adult forms = completely different resource utilisation

Extraordinary range of food types & lifestyles

Vectors of human disease!

Question 14

Define phytophagous

Answer 14

feed on plant tissue by burrowing (leaf miners, stem borers, gall-makers)