American Wasp Xenid vs Sweat Bee Stylops

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute American Wasp Xenid Sweat Bee Stylops
Scientific Name Xenos peckii Stylops nevinsoni
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Xenidae Stylopidae
Size 3.0-5.0 mm (males) 2.0-3.0 mm (males)
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions North America Europe
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.

Sweat Bee Stylops

A strepsipteran endoparasite of Andrena bees in the British Isles. Parasitized bees emerge earlier than unparasitized individuals.

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Did You Know?

Infected bees emerge from hibernation earlier in spring, which helps the strepsipteran synchronize its mating season.