Leafhopper Strepsipteran vs Brazilian Meinertellid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Leafhopper Strepsipteran Brazilian Meinertellid
Scientific Name Halictophagus calcaratus Machilinus rupestris
Order Strepsiptera Archaeognatha
Family Halictophagidae Meinertellidae
Size 1.0-2.0 mm (males) 6-9 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Parasites Omnivores
Regions North America, Europe Mediterranean Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Leafhopper Strepsipteran

A tiny strepsipteran that parasitizes leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae. The first-instar larvae are among the smallest known insects.

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Did You Know?

The first-instar triungulin larva is only about 0.2 mm long, making it one of the smallest free-living insects.

Brazilian Meinertellid

A bristletail found in rocky habitats in the Mediterranean. It is smaller than most machilids and frequents dry, warm environments.

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Did You Know?

It is adapted to much drier habitats than most other bristletail species.