Silverfish Strepsipteran vs Asian Xenid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Silverfish Strepsipteran Asian Xenid
Scientific Name Mengenilla chobauti Xenos oxyodontes
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Mengenillidae Xenidae
Size 2.0-3.5 mm (males) 3.0-4.5 mm (males)
Habitat Heathland Woodlands
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Europe, Africa Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Silverfish Strepsipteran

A primitive strepsipteran that parasitizes silverfish and firebrats. Unlike most strepsipterans, the adult female is free-living.

💡

Did You Know?

This is one of the most primitive strepsipterans, and the free-living adult female resembles a tiny larva.

Asian Xenid

A strepsipteran parasite of Ropalidia paper wasps in tropical Asia. It modifies host wasp social behavior and colony dynamics.

💡

Did You Know?

Parasitized worker wasps become lazy freeloaders that beg food from nestmates instead of foraging.