Leafhopper Strepsipteran vs Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Leafhopper Strepsipteran Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite
Scientific Name Halictophagus calcaratus Stylops ovinae
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Halictophagidae Stylopidae
Size 1.0-2.0 mm (males) 2-4 mm (males)
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions North America, Europe 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.

Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite

A tiny endoparasite of Andrena bees whose females are permanently embedded in the host's abdomen. Males live only a few hours as free-flying adults with twisted hind wings.

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Did You Know?

Male Strepsiptera have the shortest adult lifespan of any insect, often living just 2-5 hours.