07 Holometabola 1 (jellemzések, fajlista)

Holometabola (Endopterygota)

Defining Characteristics: Holometabola, or complete metamorphosis insects, undergo a transformation through four main stages: egg, larva, pupa, and imago.
Major Distinctions: Larvae and imagos often vary greatly in appearance and lifestyle. Wing buds develop beneath the cuticle, remaining invisible externally; this is suggested by their name "Endopterygota" (endo- meaning internal, pterygota meaning wings).

Types of Larvae:
- Polypod larvae: (e.g., caterpillars) have three pairs of thoracic legs and abdominal prolegs (pseudopodia), common in wasps and butterflies.
- Oligopod larvae: Thorlobes only; common types include:
  - Campodeiform larvae: Flattened, long-legged, well-sclerotized (e.g., lacewings, predatory beetles).
  - Scarabaeiform larvae: Curved body, less sclerotized, short-legged (e.g., June bugs).
  - Eruciform larvae: Caterpillar-like (e.g., sawflies, leaf beetles).
- Apod larvae: Lack legs though have head capsules; they can be:
  - Eucephalus larvae: Well-developed head (e.g., wasps).
  - Hemicephalus larvae: Poorly developed head capsules (e.g., certain flies).
- Non-legged larvae: No legs or head capsules (e.g., maggots).

Pupa Types:
- Free pupa (pupa libera): Limbs are free from the body (e.g., wasps, beetles).
- Covered pupa (pupa obtecta): Limbs adhere to the body (e.g., butterflies).
- Cocoon pupa (pupa coarctata): Enclosed in a shell formed from the last larval exoskeleton (e.g., certain flies).
Cocoon Creation: Many larvae spin cocoons from silk produced by labial glands before pupating.

Species numbers: Holometabola includes nearly 890,000 species, making up more than 80% of known insect species.
Order Hymenoptera: (Wasps and bees) are particularly diverse, varying from a few mm to several cm.

Wings: Typically two pairs of membranous wings, with the hind wings generally smaller than the forewings. Some, like worker ants, may lack wings.
Flight Mechanism: The hind wings link to the forewings via hooks during flight, folding over the abdomen when at rest.
Body Parts: Antennae are commonly longer than the head, often threadlike, but can also be clavate, serrate, or elbowed. Each species typically has compound eyes and three ocelli.

Mouthparts: The primary type is chewing, often modified for feeding habits (honey bees possess a lapping mouthpart).
Reproduction: Females usually have an ovipositor which may be elongated or specialized into a stinger.
Reproductive Style: Many Hymenopterans are haplodiploid, creating diploid females from fertilized eggs and haploid males from unfertilized ones.
Larval Habits: Larvae tend to be parasitic, kleptoparasitic, or ectophagous.

Life habits: Majority lead solitary lives, while some exhibit subsocial, parasocial, or eusocial behaviors.
Symphyta (Suborder): Have a broad attachment to the thorax and historically derived structures indicating ancient origins.
Tenthredinidae Family: Notably diverse with typical leaf-consuming behavior, exhibiting parthenogenetic reproduction in some instances (e.g., females reproduce without males).

Rhogogaster viridis: Green leaf wasp, found commonly on flowers, predating other insects.
Siricidae Family: Woodboring wasps that require specific fungi to nourish larvae, showing mutualistic relationships.
Ichneumonidae Family: Predators on other insects' larvae and pupae.
Cynipidae: Create galls on plants, using them for larval nutrition and protection.

Apis mellifera (Honeybee): Notable for eusocial structure, and hive production of honey.
Formica rufa (Red Wood Ant): A social structure with complex colony dynamics and territory defense.
Coccinella septempunctata (Seven-spotted Ladybird): Recognized for its pest control abilities, especially against aphids.
Ammophila sabulosa: Digging wasp that captures caterpillars for provisioning nests.
Cetonia aurata (Rose Beetle): Known for its attractive coloration and flower association.

Many species across these families play critical roles in ecosystems as pollinators, pest controls, or through ecological symbioses. Conservation is vital for maintaining biodiversity among these insects and the ecosystems they support.