American Wasp Xenid vs Asian Xenid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute American Wasp Xenid Asian Xenid
Scientific Name Xenos peckii Xenos oxyodontes
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Xenidae Xenidae
Size 3.0-5.0 mm (males) 3.0-4.5 mm (males)
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions North America Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

American Wasp Xenid

A parasite of paper wasps in eastern North America, commonly found in Polistes fuscatus colonies. It dramatically alters host wasp behavior.

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Did You Know?

Up to 40% of paper wasps in some colonies can be parasitized by this twisted-wing parasite.

Asian Xenid

A strepsipteran parasite of Ropalidia paper wasps in tropical Asia. It modifies host wasp social behavior and colony dynamics.

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Did You Know?

Parasitized worker wasps become lazy freeloaders that beg food from nestmates instead of foraging.