Hymenopterans include bees, ants, and wasps. With over 130,000 named species, they are a contender for the second largest order of insects in the world; only the Beetles (Coleoptera) boast a greater number of species.

Behavior patterns among this group are extreme. Social insects, such as honeybees and true ants have well developed regimented social systems in which members are divided into castes. Other hymenoptera are not social; many live a solitary life, coming together briefly only to mate.

This group is excedingly important to man. Some like bees produce honey and wax while ants and others, some of which are are parasites, protect food crops against plant pests.

Within the Hymenoptera are the stinging insects; these comprise all the bees, ants, and wasps. Within this group are the "social insects", an indistinct group comprising all the ants and many of the bees and wasps.