Cluster Fly vs Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cluster Fly | Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pollenia rudis | Xenos vesparum |
| Order | Diptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Xenidae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 2-5 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Gardens | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cluster Fly
A medium-sized, dark gray fly with golden-brown hairs on the thorax. In autumn, it gathers in large clusters inside buildings to hibernate, sometimes in the thousands.
Did You Know?
The larvae of this fly are earthworm parasites, burrowing into the worm through its skin and consuming it alive from the inside over several weeks.
Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite
An endoparasite of paper wasps where females spend their entire life inside the wasp host. Parasitized wasps are castrated and abandon their colony duties.
Did You Know?
Female Xenos never leave their wasp host — they live, mate, and give birth to thousands of larvae while permanently embedded in the wasps abdomen.