Apoidea

Females of the Ivy Seidenbiene ( Colletes hederae )

  • Grave wasps ( Spheciformes )
  • Bees ( Apiformes )

The superfamily Apoidea is one of the Stechimmen within the order of Hymenoptera. This superfamily includes the bees and wasps grave. Originally, as is usual even in the most ancient writings Apoidea denoted only the superfamily of bees, which was divided into several families.

The close relationship of bees with the grave wasps has been recognized for a long time, it is well established that both groups taken together form a monophyletic unit. Shared derived characteristics ( synapomorphies ) are found mainly in the construction of the thorax. However, the presumed sister group relationship between bees and wasps grave can no longer be maintained. While the bees undoubtedly constitute by many derived characteristics ( the most striking of these is the plant food of the larvae ) as a monophyletic group, the grave wasps form a paraphyletic group, which is usually divided into four families.

To reflect this systematic facts taxonomically, the rank of a superfamily for the bees was no longer tenable, Apoidea as their name had to give way. One could integrate into the grave wasps bees as a single (fifth ) family Apidae. The problem then would be the further breakdown, which already is traditionally based on several families. A compromise solution is to form two rows of family within a superfamily, each with the families of bees and wasps grave. The designation of this superfamily Apoidea the names as well Sphecoidea are available. For the name of the family group, there is no rule of priority, nevertheless favored Michener for this reason the name Apoidea, a decision, which now join most professionals.

The consistent application of phylogenetic systematics such considerations, however, are irrelevant, since not only the need for the designation of all higher-level taxa omitted, on the other hand the idea of ​​peer groups was abandoned.

Digital Object Identifier
72356
de