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Aculeates (Aculeata)

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A photograph of a nest of the European paper wasp _Polistes dominulus_.

A nest of the European paper wasp Polistes dominulus
Photograph by Fabio Brambilla licensed under Creative Commons.

Aculeates share the characteristic feature of a sting. This evolved from the ovipositor of more primitive Hymenoptera, becoming a venom-transmitting weapon for hunting, defence, and aggression. The eggs emerge at the base of the sting but do not pass through it.

Aculeate groups

The aculeates are divided into several groups, some of them containing some of our most familiar insects. Some people can claim to have been stung by representatives of all of them!

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