Hymenoptera

General identification characters:

 Vary in size from 1 mm to 6 cm with wasp-waist (constriction between the first 2
segments of the abdomen) present in ants, bees, and wasps
 Well-developed compound eyes
 Antennae are usually longer than their head and have greater than 10 segments
 Chewing (mandibulate) mouthparts, although in some species such as bees the
lower lip is modified to form a tongue
 Two pairs of membranous (thin, often see-through) wings with hindwings smaller
than the forewings and the wing venation much reduced
 Triangular stigma in front wing of sawflies, horntails, and some wasps
 Hamuli (tiny hooks on costa of hind wing) that hold front and hind wings together
 Females usually have a hardened ovipositor
Economic Importance:
Hymenoptera, the bees, wasps and ant, are one of the largest insect orders, and have
massive ecological importance as pollinators and as predators or parasitoids of other
insects. These roles have brought them forcefully to human notice, as governors of
some key ecological services that strongly influence human food supply. Both pests and
beneficial species abound within the order. Like the ants in hymenoptera order are
important components of ecosystem and acts as biological indicators. Although some
species in the order are regarded as pests (e.g., sawflies, gall wasps, and some ants) but
most members of the Hymenoptera are extremely beneficial -- either as natural
enemies of insect pests (parasitic wasps) or as pollinators of flowering plants (bees and
wasps).

Diptera
General identification characters:
 Flies range in size from midges of little more than 1 mm to robber flies more than
7 cm long with antennae generally shorter than their head.
 Body is often covered with short bristles
 A large, moveable head with compound eyes that are often very large
 Haustellate mouthparts
 Front wings membranous; hind wings modified into knob like structure called
halteres
 Thorax enlarged in the middle to give it a rather hunch-backed look
Immatures:
1. Culiciform
2. Head capsule present with chewing mouthparts
3. Legs absent
4. Vermiform (maggots)
5. Without legs or a distinct head capsule
6. Mouthparts reduced; only present as mouth hook

Adults:
1. Antennae filiform, stylate, or aristate
2. Mouthparts suctorial (haustellate)
3. Mesothorax larger than pro- or metathorax
4. One pair of wings (front); hind wings reduced (halteres)
5. Tarsi 5-segmented

Economic importance:
The economic importance of the group is immense. Members of this order are the most
ecologically diverse and probably have a greater economic impact on humans than any
other group of insects. Many species are particularly important as vectors of disease in
man, other animals, and plants. The abundance, worldwide distribution, and habits of
flies combine to make them a nuisance to humans. They are also responsible for
carrying different disease causing agents. Many members in the order cause damage to
plants and field crops resulting in economic losses.
On the other hand, many dipterans serve roles that are useful to humans. Houseflies,
blowflies and fungus gnats are scavengers and aid in decomposition. Robber flies,
dagger flies and balloon flies are predators and parasitoids of other insects, helping to
control a variety of pests. Many dipterans such as bee flies (Bombyliidae) and hoverflies
(Syrphidae) are pollinators of crops and have essential roles in maintaining our
ecosystem. In addition, much of our knowledge of animal genetics and development
has been acquired using the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster (family Drosophilidae)
as an experimental subject.