3 ms·
As a bit of context: Bees and wasps are in the taxonomic order Hymenoptera, which they also share with ants. It is the only order of insects [0] besides Isopter
by wolverine876 2y ago
As a bit of context: Bees and wasps are in the taxonomic order Hymenoptera, which they also share with ants. It is the only order of insects [0] besides Isoptera (termites) with complex social systems and division of labor.
Ants, of course, also have a division of labor and, if I understand the terminology, a 'social system'. I wonder if every family/genus/species in Hymenoptera has these capabilities, including learning complex behavior.
[0] I'm not sure if precisely, those are the only such orders among insects (class Insecta) or among all arthropods (phylum Arthropoda).
- 082349872349872 2y agoAt some point Napoleon (who, for propaganda purposes, obviously had to replace the lilies* of the french monarchy) chose bees. I wonder if anyone left a rationale for this decision, and if so, whether it mentions social systems? * considering the lily: a monarch can't have a day job, as they spend far too much time intriguing (in the old days) or shuttling between photo ops (in our days) to have 40 hours/week free for to spend away from the sword of Damocles; the best they can hope for is a few stolen moments in the privacy of the Drones' Club.