The Hymenoptera, an order of holometabolous neopterans is mainly classified in two suborders, the “Symphyta” (wood wasps and sawflies) and Apocrita (wasps, bees, and ants). Within the Apocrita, the aculeate taxa (Chrysidoidea, Vespoidea, and Apoidea) form a monophyletic group, characterized by the use of the ovipositor for stinging prey or enemies instead of egg-laying. Although the bees and wasps had predatory ancestors and belong to same monophyletic group , then what are the main evolutionary factors/reasons of variance in their feeding habits from carnivorous to herbivorous?
Simply put to reduce competition, by diversifying the food they can survive in more diverse niche.
Dear Rahul Khot,
What is your opinion about the role of bacterial gut symbionts in the evolution of herbivory ?
Russell JA, Moreau CS, Goldman-Huertas B et al. (2009) Bacterial gut symbionts are tightly linked with the evolution of herbivory in ants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106, 21236–21241.
www.pnas.org/content/106/50/21236.full.pdf
Please don't forget that some ants and wasps (including Vespoidea) are also phytophagous at larval stage. Thus, this diet change occured more than once during the evolution of Aculeata. Also some Parasitica also are phytophagous (e.g. many Cynipoidea and some Chalcidoidea). Maybe, an analysis of these groups of Hymenoptera could help you to find an explanation :)
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