Hymenopteran Collection

Ant, SEM
Ant. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an ant (family Formicidae). One of its compound eyes (red) is seen, as well as two long antennae that are mounted on the head between the eyes

Asian giant hornet head
Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), close-up of the head. This is the worlds largest hornet, found in temperate and tropical Eastern Asia

Pollen on a bee leg, SEM
Pollen on a bee leg. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains (pale purple) on the leg of a bee (superfamily Apoidea). Pollen grains are the male sex cells of a flowering plant

EyeUbiquitous_20108706
Bee on purple coloured Thistle

Echinacea
Bee on Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower

Ant compound eye, SEM C018 / 0552
Ant compound eye, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The units in a compound eye, the ommatidia, each contain a cornea and photoreceptor cells

Turtle ant C018 / 2464
Turtle ant. Close-up of a turtle ant (Cephalotes sp.) soldier, showing its flattened head shield. Photographed in Peru

Bullet ant stinger C018 / 2441
Bullet ant stinger. Close-up of the abdomen of a bullet ant (Paraponera clavata), showing its stinger. Bullet ants get their name from their powerful and potent sting

Ant eye C018 / 2440
Ant eye. Close-up of the head of an ant (family Formicidae), showing on of its compound eyes. Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Uncapped honeycomb. Close-up of honeycomb from a honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony. The individual cells contain honey

Ant anus, SEM C018 / 0550
Ant anus, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Ants excrete bodily waste through a single orifice, their anus, which is located at the tip of the abdomen

Bee head, SEM C018 / 0546
Bee head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is the head of a small bumblebee. Flying insects often have two sets of eyes, coloured pink here

Wasp eye. Close-up of one of the compound eyes of a wasp (order Hymenoptera), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Bullet ant C018 / 2481
Bullet ant. Close-up of a bullet ant (Paraponera clavata), showing its large jaws (mandibles, centre). Bullet ants get their name from their powerful and potent sting

Ant, SEM
Ant (family Formicidae), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). One of its compound eyes (black) is seen, as well as two long antennae that are mounted on the head between the eyes

Wasp head. Close-up of the head of a wasp (order Hymenoptera), showing its large compound eyes (black, left and right). Magnification: x46 when printed 10 centimetres wide

Wasp nest under a leaf, with eggs and larvae visible. Most wasp nests are made from wood fibres that have been chewed up to form a paper-like pulp

Tropical wasps nest. Close-up of tropical wasps (order Hymenoptera) on the outside of their nest attached to the underside of a leaf

Honeybee head
Honeybee. Close-up of a honeybee (Apis sp.) covered in pollen (yellow grains). Magnification: x17, when printed 10 centimetres wide

Tropical ants nest C016 / 7755
Tropical ants nest. This nest has been formed around the stalks of plants to keep it off the ground. Photographed in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Ant drinking nectar C016 / 7734
Ant drinking nectar. Tropical ant drinking nectar from an extrafloral nectary at the base of a leaf. Extrafloral nectaries are nectar-secreting plant glands that develop outside of flowers

Bullet ants interacting C016 / 7739
Bullet ants interacting. Bullet ants (Paraponera clavata) get their name from their powerful and potent sting. They inhabit humid lowland rainforests from Nicaragua and the extreme east of Honduras

Mud dauber wasp C016 / 2290
Mud dauber wasp (Stizus continuus). Mud daubers are solitary wasps that build nests made of mud. Specimen obtained from the University of Valencia, Spain

Mammoth wasp C016 / 2195
Mammoth wasp. View of the upperside of a female mammoth wasp (Megascolia maculata flavifrons). This species of very large wasp is the largest in Europe

Mud dauber wasp C016 / 2291
Mud dauber wasp (Stizus continuus) with its wings spread. Mud daubers are solitary wasps that build nests made of mud. Specimen obtained from the University of Valencia, Spain

Mud dauber wasp C016 / 2161
Mud dauber wasp (Sceliphron sp.). Mud daubers are solitary wasps that build nests made of mud. Specimen obtained from the University of Valencia, Spain

Electron microscopy water artefact, SEM C018 / 0557
Electron microscopy water artefact, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is the surface of a compound eye from a bee

Ant head, SEM C018 / 0547
Ant head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The antennae (sensory structures) are the stalk-like structures (orange) attached to the head above the mouthparts (bottom)

Ant head, SEM C018 / 0548
Ant head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The antennae (sensory structures) are the stalk-like structures (blue) attached to the head above the mouthparts (bottom)

Ant spiracle, SEM C018 / 0551
Ant spiracle, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Spiracles are openings in an insects exoskeleton that connect to the tracheal tubes which deliver oxygen directly to tissues within

Wasp simple eyes, SEM C018 / 0559
Wasp simple eyes, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). These three dorsal ocelli ( simple eyes ) are located on top of the wasps head

Bee simple eye, SEM C018 / 0558
Bee simple eye, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This ocellus is one of three simple eyes (ocelli) located on the top of a bees head

Ant anus, SEM C018 / 0549
Ant anus, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Ants excrete bodily waste through a single orifice, their anus, which is located at the tip of the abdomen

Sleeping bee C014 / 4635
Sleeping bee. Bee (Nomada sp.) using its mandibles to cling onto a leaf while it sleeps

Wasp wing. Close-up of one of the wing of a wasp (order Hymenoptera), showing its iridescent surface. Magnification: x57 when printed 10 centimetres wide

Worker ants C014 / 4652
Worker ants (Polyrhachis illaudata) on the ground. Photographed in Guangdong province, South China

Wasp. Close-up of the head of a wasp (order Hymenoptera), showing its large compound eyes (black, left and right). Magnification: x17 when printed 10 centimetres wide

Tropical wasps nest C016 / 7770
Tropical wasps nest. This nest has been formed around the stalks of plants to keep it off the ground. Photographed in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Tropical wasps nest C016 / 7769
Tropical wasps nest. This nest has been formed around the stalks of plants to keep it off the ground. Photographed in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Cuckoo wasp (Chrysis ignita) on a leaf. Photographed in Poland

Spider wasp. Episyron sp. spider wasp on a leaf. Spider wasps (family Pompilidae) get their name from their behaviour of hunting and killing spiders, often larger than themselves

Ant head C018 / 2487
Ant head. Close-up of the head of an ant (family Formicidae), showing its jaws (mandibles, lower centre) and eyes (upper left and right)

Queenless ants C015 / 5725
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5723
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5724
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5721
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5722
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Golden carpenter ant C018 / 2485
Golden carpenter ant. Close-up of a golden carpenter ant (Camponotus sericeiventris), showing its jaws (mandibles, centre) and long antennae (upper left and right)

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"Hymenopteran: Unveiling the Intricate World of Ants and Bees" Delving into the fascinating realm of hymenopterans, we uncover a microcosm teeming with intricate wonders. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, we witness the mesmerizing details that make these creatures so captivating. In one snapshot, an ant scurries along, its tiny body magnified to reveal every minute feature. SEM allows us to explore even further - zooming in on an Asian giant hornet's head showcases its formidable presence. Pollen clings delicately onto a bee's leg under SEM scrutiny, reminding us of their vital role as nature's pollinators. EyeUbiquitous_20108706 captures this moment perfectly, showcasing the beauty and importance of these industrious insects. The compound eye of an ant is another marvel brought to life through SEM imagery (C018 / 0552). Its intricate structure hints at their exceptional visual abilities. Meanwhile, turtle ants (C018 / 2464) showcase their unique physique and behavior that sets them apart from other hymenopterans. But it isn't just their appearance that captivates us; hymenopterans possess remarkable defense mechanisms too. The bullet ant's menacing stinger (C018 / 2441) serves as a reminder of their potency when threatened. Returning our focus to eyes once again (C018 / 2440), we are reminded how crucial vision is for these creatures' survival strategies. Their keen perception helps navigate complex environments while ensuring colony cohesion. Uncapped honeycombs stand as testaments to bees' tireless efforts in constructing elaborate structures where they store nectar and raise future generations. These architectural masterpieces symbolize harmony within colonies and exemplify nature's precision engineering. Amidst this exploration lies Echinacea – a vibrant flower cherished by both humans and hymenopterans alike.