European Stylops vs Schizonotus Chalcid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Stylops Schizonotus Chalcid
Scientific Name Stylops melittae Schizonotus sieboldi
Order Strepsiptera Hymenoptera
Family Stylopidae Chalcididae
Size 2.0-4.0 mm (males) 4-6 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Parasites Parasitoids
Regions Europe East Asia, Japan
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.

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Did You Know?

The female never leaves her host bee and only her brood canal opening protrudes between the bee's abdominal segments.

Schizonotus Chalcid

A parasitoid of mason bee larvae found across temperate Asia. It enters the sealed mud nests of Osmia bees to lay its eggs on the developing bee larvae.

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Did You Know?

It times its attack to coincide with the brief window when mason bee cells are sealed but larvae are still vulnerable.