African Fig Wasp vs Bee-fly Strepsipteran
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Fig Wasp | Bee-fly Strepsipteran |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ceratosolen capensis | Stylops ater |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Agaonidae | Stylopidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 2.0-3.5 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Southern Africa, East Africa | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
African Fig Wasp
A tiny wasp with an obligate mutualistic relationship with African fig trees. Females enter figs through a narrow opening to pollinate and lay eggs.
Did You Know?
Each fig species has its own specific fig wasp pollinator, making them one of nature's most precise co-evolutionary partnerships.
Bee-fly Strepsipteran
A dark-bodied strepsipteran that parasitizes Andrena mining bees in Europe. The triungulins actively seek out host bee larvae in nest cells.
Did You Know?
Tiny first-instar larvae ride on flowers and grab onto visiting bees for transport back to the bee's nest.