What is the Difference Between Symphyta and Apocrita?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Symphyta and Apocrita are two suborders under the order Hymenoptera, which includes insects such as ants, bees, and wasps. The main differences between Symphyta and Apocrita are:
- Waist Structure: Symphyta has a broad waist, while Apocrita has a narrow waist, which is also known as a "wasp waist".
- Insect Types: Symphyta includes sawflies and horntails or wood wasps, which are considered primitive insects. Apocrita, on the other hand, includes more advanced insects like wasps, bees, and ants.
- Feeding Habits: Most Symphyta species are phytophagous, meaning they feed on plants and can cause destruction to food crops. Apocrita species, however, typically feed on other arthropods.
- Ovipositor: In Symphyta, the ovipositor is saw-like, which helps the females cut through plants to lay their eggs. In Apocrita, the ovipositor is modified into a stinger.
- Social Organization: Most advanced Hymenoptera, like bees, ants, and wasps (Apocrita), have a well-developed social organization with a division of labor and cooperative care for broods. This level of social organization is not as prevalent in Symphyta species.
- Presence of Cenchrus: Cenchrus, a structure that helps hold the wings when at rest, is present in Symphyta but absent in Apocrita.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Symphyta and Apocrita? Comparative Table: Symphyta vs Apocrita
Comparative Table: Symphyta vs Apocrita
Here is a table summarizing the differences between Symphyta and Apocrita, two suborders of the order Hymenoptera:
Feature | Symphyta | Apocrita |
---|---|---|
Insect Groups | Sawflies, horntails, Cynipoidea | Ants, bees, wasps, braconids, ichneumons, chalcids |
Waist Structure | Broad junction between thorax and abdomen | Narrow "wasp waist" between segments of their abdomen |
Membranous Wings | Four membranous wings | Four membranous wings |
Larval Feeding Habits | Mostly phytophagous, external feeding on plants | Internal feeding or parasitic |
Social Organization | Primitive hymenopterans, not highly developed | Most advanced hymenopterans, with proper division of labor, cooperative brood care, and distinct castes (e.g., soldiers, reproducers, workers) |
Both Symphyta and Apocrita are beneficial insects, serving as pollinators and natural enemies of insect pests. However, some species in Symphyta can be destructive to crops.
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