Cricket Strepsipteran vs Solomon's Seal Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cricket Strepsipteran | Solomon's Seal Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caenocholax fenyesi | Phymatocera aterrima |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Myrmecolacidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 1.5-3.0 mm (males) | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasites | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America, Central America | Europe |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Cricket Strepsipteran
An unusual strepsipteran whose males parasitize ants while females parasitize crickets. This dual-host system is unique among parasites.
Did You Know?
Males and females of this species parasitize completely different insect orders, a phenomenon unique to the family Myrmecolacidae.
Solomon's Seal Sawfly
A small, entirely black sawfly whose grayish-white larvae with black heads are highly destructive to Solomon's seal plants. Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward.
Did You Know?
The larvae are so well camouflaged against the undersides of Solomon's seal leaves that gardeners often only notice them after severe damage is done.