Bee-fly Strepsipteran vs Silverfish Strepsipteran
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bee-fly Strepsipteran | Silverfish Strepsipteran |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stylops ater | Mengenilla chobauti |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Stylopidae | Mengenillidae |
| Size | 2.0-3.5 mm (males) | 2.0-3.5 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Heathland |
| 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.
Silverfish Strepsipteran
A primitive strepsipteran that parasitizes silverfish and firebrats. Unlike most strepsipterans, the adult female is free-living.
Did You Know?
This is one of the most primitive strepsipterans, and the free-living adult female resembles a tiny larva.