Hymenopterida is a superorder of holometabolous (metamorphosing) insects. As originally circumscribed, it included Hymenoptera and the orders in Panorpida (Mecoptera, Siphonaptera, Diptera, Trichoptera and Lepidoptera). However, more recent studies find Hymenoptera as sister to the other members of Holometabola and the superorder is restricted to Hymenoptera.

Evolution

The following phylogenetic tree shows the internal relationships of the superorder as a clade of Hymenoptera but more recent molecular analyses find a different arrangement within Holometabola, with Hymenoptera as the earliest branching group.

HolometabolaHymenopterida Hymenoptera (sawflies, wasps, bees, ants) Aparaglossata Neuropteroidea Neuropterida Raphidioptera (snakeflies) Megaloptera (alderflies and allies) Neuroptera (Lacewings and allies) Coleopterida Coleoptera (beetles) Strepsiptera (twisted-wing parasites) Panorpida Amphiesmenoptera Trichoptera (caddisflies) Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths) Antliophora Diptera Mecoptera (scorpionflies) Siphonaptera (fleas)
HymenopteridaHymenoptera (sawflies, wasps, bees, ants)
AparaglossataNeuropteroidea Neuropterida Raphidioptera (snakeflies) Megaloptera (alderflies and allies) Neuroptera (Lacewings and allies) Coleopterida Coleoptera (beetles) Strepsiptera (twisted-wing parasites) Panorpida Amphiesmenoptera Trichoptera (caddisflies) Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths) Antliophora Diptera Mecoptera (scorpionflies) Siphonaptera (fleas)
NeuropteroideaNeuropterida Raphidioptera (snakeflies) Megaloptera (alderflies and allies) Neuroptera (Lacewings and allies) Coleopterida Coleoptera (beetles) Strepsiptera (twisted-wing parasites)
NeuropteridaRaphidioptera (snakeflies) Megaloptera (alderflies and allies) Neuroptera (Lacewings and allies)
Raphidioptera (snakeflies)
Megaloptera (alderflies and allies) Neuroptera (Lacewings and allies)
Megaloptera (alderflies and allies)
Neuroptera (Lacewings and allies)
ColeopteridaColeoptera (beetles) Strepsiptera (twisted-wing parasites)
Coleoptera (beetles)
Strepsiptera (twisted-wing parasites)
PanorpidaAmphiesmenoptera Trichoptera (caddisflies) Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths) Antliophora Diptera Mecoptera (scorpionflies) Siphonaptera (fleas)
AmphiesmenopteraTrichoptera (caddisflies) Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths)
Trichoptera (caddisflies)
Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths)
AntliophoraDiptera Mecoptera (scorpionflies) Siphonaptera (fleas)
Diptera
Mecoptera (scorpionflies) Siphonaptera (fleas)
Mecoptera (scorpionflies)
Siphonaptera (fleas)

External links

  • Data related to Hymenopterida at Wikispecies