Planthopper Strepsipteran vs Ant Strepsipteran

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Planthopper Strepsipteran Ant Strepsipteran
Scientific Name Halictophagus australensis Myrmecolax incautus
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Halictophagidae Myrmecolacidae
Size 1.0-2.0 mm (males) 2-4 mm (males)
Habitat Wetlands Underground
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Oceania South America, Neotropics
Conservation Not Evaluated Data Deficient

Planthopper Strepsipteran

An Australian strepsipteran parasite of delphacid planthoppers. It alters the host's reproductive development and morphology.

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Did You Know?

Parasitized planthoppers develop intersex characteristics, with males growing female-like features and vice versa.

Ant Strepsipteran

A remarkable strepsipteran that parasitizes ants. Males parasitize ants while females parasitize crickets or grasshoppers, a unique life history involving two different host orders.

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Did You Know?

The two sexes parasitize hosts from completely different insect orders, a phenomenon found nowhere else in the animal kingdom.