European Stylops vs Hornet Strepsipteran
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Stylops | Hornet Strepsipteran |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stylops melittae | Xenos myrapetrus |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Stylopidae | Xenidae |
| Size | 2.0-4.0 mm (males) | 4.0-6.0 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe | Africa |
| 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.
Hornet Strepsipteran
A large strepsipteran parasite of hornets and social wasps in tropical Africa. Males have distinctive fan-shaped hindwings.
Did You Know?
Male strepsipterans have large eyes with only about 50 facets each, giving them the coarsest visual resolution of any insect.