International Society of Hymenopterists
Professional services
UnclaimedAn international scholarly society supporting research and communication on Hymenoptera, the insect order that includes bees, wasps, ants, and sawflies.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The International Society of Hymenopterists is a scholarly organization devoted to the study of Hymenoptera, a major insect order encompassing bees, wasps, ants, sawflies, and related groups. Established in 1982, the society provides an international structure for researchers and other specialists working across hymenopteran systematics, taxonomy, evolution, ecology, behavior, physiology, conservation, and applied entomology. The society's principal activities are scholarly communication and community building. Its best-known recurring event is the International Congress of Hymenopterists, a global meeting held approximately every four to five years. These congresses rotate among host locations and provide opportunities for researchers to present findings, exchange taxonomic and biological knowledge, develop collaborations, and discuss emerging issues affecting Hymenoptera research. Recorded congress locations include Vancouver, Sheffield, Davis, Canberra, Beijing, Sun City, Kőszeg, Cusco, Matsuyama, and Iași. The planned 2026 meeting is scheduled for Mexico City. Since 1992, the society has published the Journal of Hymenoptera Research. The journal serves as a specialist publication outlet for research on Hymenoptera and complements the society's congresses by providing a continuing channel for peer-reviewed scientific communication. Tamara Spasojevic is identified as the journal's current editor-in-chief in the available reference material. The society is not presented as a commercial consumer brand, publicly traded company, or corporate group. Its identity is institutional and professional: it connects an international research community, supports the dissemination of specialist knowledge, and maintains recurring scientific events and publication activities focused on Hymenoptera. Publicly available reference material does not establish a headquarters, legal parent, founder, ownership structure, or detailed membership program.
History
The International Society of Hymenopterists was founded in 1982 to support the international study of Hymenoptera. The order includes a wide range of ecologically and economically important insects, including bees, ants, wasps, and sawflies. Research in this field spans taxonomy and systematics as well as evolution, ecology, behavior, conservation, and applied entomology. The society's formation created a dedicated international platform for specialists whose work crosses national research systems and multiple branches of entomology. A central part of the society's development has been the International Congress of Hymenopterists. The congress is organized on a roughly four- to five-year cycle and moves between host countries, giving the society a recurring mechanism for face-to-face scientific exchange. The first listed meeting took place in Vancouver in 1988, followed by congresses in Sheffield in 1991, Davis in 1995, Canberra in 1999, Beijing in 2002, Sun City in 2006, Kőszeg in 2010, Cusco in 2014, Matsuyama in 2018, and Iași in 2023. The geographic rotation reflects the society's international scope and the broad distribution of Hymenoptera research communities. Publishing is another enduring part of the society's work. Since 1992, it has published the Journal of Hymenoptera Research, a specialist journal intended to circulate original research and other scholarly contributions concerning Hymenoptera. The journal extends the society's role beyond periodic congresses by providing a continuing publication channel for the field. Tamara Spasojevic is listed as its current editor-in-chief in the available reference material. The society's public profile is that of a scientific association rather than a commercial enterprise. Available sources do not provide verified information about its headquarters, founder, legal incorporation, financial structure, membership totals, or senior administrative officers. The available congress record indicates that the organization remains active as an international scholarly network, with another congress planned for Mexico City in August 2026.
- 2026
Planned congress in Mexico City
[1]The next congress is planned for Mexico City, Mexico, from August 10–14.
- 2023
Congress held in Iași
[1]The most recent listed congress was held in Iași, Romania, from July 23–29.
- 2018
Congress held in Matsuyama
[1]The congress took place in Matsuyama, Japan, from July 23–27.
- 2014
Congress held in Cusco
[1]The International Congress of Hymenopterists was hosted in Cusco, Peru, from July 20–25.
- 2010
Congress held in Kőszeg
[1]The congress met in Kőszeg, Hungary, from June 20–26.
- 2006
Congress held in Sun City
[1]The society's congress was held in Sun City, South Africa, from June 22–26.
- 2002
Congress held in Beijing
[1]The congress took place in Beijing, China, from July 22–26.
- 1999
Congress held in Canberra
[1]The congress was hosted in Canberra, Australia, from January 6–11.
- 1995
Congress held in Davis
[1]The congress met in Davis, California, from August 13–16.
- 1992
Journal of Hymenoptera Research begins publication
[1]The society began publishing the Journal of Hymenoptera Research as a continuing scholarly outlet for Hymenoptera studies.
Products and positioning
An international specialist society for scientific research, scholarly communication, and professional collaboration in Hymenoptera studies.
Scholarly journal · 1992
Journal of Hymenoptera Research
The Journal of Hymenoptera Research is the society's continuing publication for specialist scholarship on Hymenoptera. It has been published since 1992 and provides a durable communication channel between the society's periodic international congresses. Its subject area corresponds to the society's broad scientific remit, including research on the taxonomy, systematics, biology, ecology, evolution, and applied significance of Hymenopteran insects.
Scientific conference · 1988
International Congress of Hymenopterists
The International Congress of Hymenopterists is the society's principal recurring international meeting. Held approximately every four to five years in rotating locations, it brings together researchers and specialists to present findings, discuss developments in Hymenoptera science, and build professional collaborations. The recorded series extends from Vancouver in 1988 through Iași in 2023, with a Mexico City meeting planned for 2026.
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