Halictid Bee Strepsipteran vs Bot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Halictid Bee Strepsipteran | Bot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Halictophagus silwoodensis | Dermatobia hominis |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Diptera |
| Family | Halictophagidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 1.0-1.5 mm (males) | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Forests |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Halictid Bee Strepsipteran
A tiny strepsipteran parasite of leafhoppers described from Silwood Park in England. Males have the characteristic twisted hindwings of the order.
Did You Know?
Strepsiptera means twisted wing, referring to the way the hindwings twist during flight like helicopter blades.
Bot Fly
Parasitic fly whose larvae develop under the skin of mammals including humans. Female captures a mosquito and glues eggs to it — when the mosquito bites, body heat triggers egg hatching.
Did You Know?
The human bot fly is so devious it hijacks mosquitoes — it catches them, glues eggs to their bodies, then the eggs hatch when the mosquito lands on warm skin.