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Morphology and Anatomy

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The Biology of Hover Wasps

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Abstract

The general morphology and most important anatomical systems of Hover Wasps are described and discussed. Analytical comparisons illustrate the characteristics of particular body parts in different genera. The description of important and peculiar anatomical structures of adult females and males, mainly connected to reproductive and defensive apparatuses and mating systems, is accompanied by a discussion about their function in social biology. The morphology and anatomy of immature stages are also presented in a comparison with other social wasps.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    There is an amusing article by Chris Starr published in Sphecos in 1984 (a newsletter which for several years used to be an excellent means of communication between Hymenopterists) in which the author describes his nasty experience with stings delivered by Eustenogaster males in the Philippines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dep of Evolutionary Biology “L. Pardi”, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italy

    Stefano Turillazzi

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  1. Stefano Turillazzi
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Turillazzi, S. (2012). Morphology and Anatomy. In: The Biology of Hover Wasps. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32680-6_2

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