Gaster

Hymenoptera are characteristed by a thin 'waist' between the thorax and the abdomen. Following the thin waist the abdomen gets thicker and this region is called the Gaster.

The Spider-hunting Wasp (Auplopus carbonarius) with its prey. The thin waist and gaster, distinctive of Hymenoptera, are clearly visible.
Photograph by Fritz Geller-Grimm licensed under Creative Commons.

Related terms

• Abdomen
• Apoidea
• Drone
• Formicidae
• Hymenoptera
• Pedicel

Related groups of terms

• Invertebrate body structure

Related pages on this web site

• Ants
• Bees
• Bees, Wasps and Ants - Order Hymenoptera
• Insect body structure

See other words beginning with G