Hymenoptera noun pl. [hʌɪmǝ'nɒpt(ǝ)rǝ] Also hymenoptera. L18.
[mod. Latin from neut. pl. of Greek humenopteros membrane-winged, from humen-, humēn (see HYMEN noun²) + pteron wing: see -A³.]
(Members of) a large order of insects (including bees, wasps, and ants) characterized by two pairs of wings and in females an ovipositor adapted for stinging, piercing, or sawing.
■ R. F. Chapman In some larval Diptera and Hymenoptera the antennae are very small.

■ hymenopterous adjective of or pertaining to the Hymenoptera E19.

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