Halictid Stylops vs Gold-tailed Ruby Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Halictid Stylops Gold-tailed Ruby Wasp
Scientific Name Stylops nassonowi Chrysis fulgida
Order Strepsiptera Hymenoptera
Family Stylopidae Chrysididae
Size 1.5-3.0 mm (males) 7-12 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Europe, Asia Central Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Halictid Stylops

A twisted-wing parasite that targets sweat bees in the family Halictidae. Parasitized bees show altered behavior and suppressed reproduction.

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Did You Know?

Parasitized bees are effectively castrated and their behavior changes so dramatically the phenomenon is called parasitic castration.

Gold-tailed Ruby Wasp

A dazzling metallic wasp with a bright green head and thorax and a golden-red abdomen. It is a brood parasite of potter wasps and mason wasps.

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Did You Know?

Its armoured exoskeleton is so tough that host wasps cannot sting through it.