Sand Wasp Strepsipteran vs Hornet Strepsipteran

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Wasp Strepsipteran Hornet Strepsipteran
Scientific Name Paraxenos lugubris Xenos myrapetrus
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Xenidae Xenidae
Size 2.5-4.0 mm (males) 4.0-6.0 mm (males)
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Woodlands
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Europe, Africa Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

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.

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.