hymenopterous

[ hahy-muh-nop-ter-uhs ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Hymenoptera, an order of insects having, when winged, four membranous wings, and comprising the wasps, bees, ants, ichneumon flies, and sawflies.

hymenopterous

/ ˌhaɪmɪˈnɒptərəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Hymenoptera, an order of insects, including bees, wasps, ants, and sawflies, having two pairs of membranous wings and an ovipositor specialized for stinging, sawing, or piercing

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymenopterous¹

From the Greek word hymenópteros, dating back to 1805–15. See hymeno-, -pterous

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymenopterous¹

C19: from Greek humenopteros membrane wing; see hymen , -pterous

Example Sentences

They are subject to the attacks of various enemies—spiders, ants, crickets, and minute hymenopterous parasites.

From Project Gutenberg

Apis honoured by the Romans under the attributes of Osiris: a genus of gasteropods: a genus of hymenopterous insects.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the numerous insects parasitic on the inhabitants of galls are hymenopterous flies of the family Proctotrypidae, and of the family Chalcididae, e.g.

From Project Gutenberg

But these arguments have no bearing if we consider the method of procedure adopted by the Ammophila,74 a hymenopterous insect related to the preceding, which paralyses caterpillars.

From Project Gutenberg

The diminutive florets on its flat disk are so shallow that lepidopterous and hymenopterous insects, with their long proboses, stand no chance of getting a meal.

From Project Gutenberg