European Stylops vs American Wasp Xenid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Stylops | American Wasp Xenid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stylops melittae | Xenos peckii |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Stylopidae | Xenidae |
| Size | 2.0-4.0 mm (males) | 3.0-5.0 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
European Stylops
A twisted-wing parasite of mining bees in the genus Andrena. Males are free-flying while females remain permanently embedded in the host bee.
Did You Know?
The female never leaves her host bee and only her brood canal opening protrudes between the bee's abdominal segments.
American Wasp Xenid
A parasite of paper wasps in eastern North America, commonly found in Polistes fuscatus colonies. It dramatically alters host wasp behavior.
Did You Know?
Up to 40% of paper wasps in some colonies can be parasitized by this twisted-wing parasite.