Halictid Stylops vs Hornet Strepsipteran

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Halictid Stylops Hornet Strepsipteran
Scientific Name Stylops nassonowi Xenos myrapetrus
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Stylopidae Xenidae
Size 1.5-3.0 mm (males) 4.0-6.0 mm (males)
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Europe, Asia Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

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.

Hornet Strepsipteran

A large strepsipteran parasite of hornets and social wasps in tropical Africa. Males have distinctive fan-shaped hindwings.

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Did You Know?

Male strepsipterans have large eyes with only about 50 facets each, giving them the coarsest visual resolution of any insect.