Superimposition of the sting morphological characters on the dendrogram of Apoidea with emphasis on Crabronidae s. str. (Insecta: Hymenoptera): first steps

Abstract

ABSTRACT The superfamily Apoidea is one of three major clades of extant aculeate Hymenoptera, comprising bees (Anthophila) and apoid wasps. Here we investigate homology of sting characteristics in apoid wasps, which to date have been largely neglected. Sting morphology of four species of apoid wasps was examined using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Published data on four other species of aculeate Hymenoptera (2 apoid wasps, 1 bee, 1 vespid wasp) are included in the analysis to broaden the set of analysed character states. Twelve sting characters are superimposed on a simplified dendrogram resultant from available molecular phylogenetic studies. Three characters addressing sensory equipment, structure and shape of the sting sclerites are found to be phylogenetically informative. The evolution of some sting characters is discussed.