noun
- An order of insects that includes ants, bees, and wasps, characterized by two pairs of wings and a narrow waist.
Usage: scientific/taxonomic term; usually used in plural or as a mass noun
Examples
- Hymenoptera is one of the largest orders of insects in the world.
- Bees and wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera.
- Scientists study hymenoptera to understand insect behavior and ecology.
- The narrow waist is a distinctive feature of hymenoptera.
- Many hymenoptera species are social insects that live in colonies.