Bee-fly Strepsipteran vs Sand Wasp Strepsipteran
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bee-fly Strepsipteran | Sand Wasp Strepsipteran |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stylops ater | Paraxenos lugubris |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Stylopidae | Xenidae |
| Size | 2.0-3.5 mm (males) | 2.5-4.0 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
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.
Sand Wasp Strepsipteran
A strepsipteran parasite of sand wasps in the genus Bembix. It is found in sandy coastal areas where its host wasps nest.
Did You Know?
Parasitized sand wasps often have visibly protruding strepsipteran puparia between their abdominal segments.