Sand Wasp Strepsipteran vs Bladder Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Wasp Strepsipteran Bladder Grasshopper
Scientific Name Paraxenos lugubris Bullacris membracioides
Order Strepsiptera Orthoptera
Family Xenidae Pneumoridae
Size 2.5-4.0 mm (males) 50-70 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Parasites Herbivores
Regions Europe, Africa Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Sand Wasp Strepsipteran

A strepsipteran parasite of sand wasps in the genus Bembix. It is found in sandy coastal areas where its host wasps nest.

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Did You Know?

Parasitized sand wasps often have visibly protruding strepsipteran puparia between their abdominal segments.

Bladder Grasshopper

A grasshopper with an inflated balloon-like abdomen used as a resonating chamber.

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Did You Know?

Males inflate their abdomen and produce calls audible to humans nearly two kilometers away.