Silverfish Strepsipteran vs South African Argid Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Silverfish Strepsipteran South African Argid Sawfly
Scientific Name Mengenilla chobauti Arge capensis
Order Strepsiptera Hymenoptera
Family Mengenillidae Argidae
Size 2.0-3.5 mm (males) 7-10 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Parasites Herbivores
Regions Europe, Africa Southern Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Silverfish Strepsipteran

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

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Did You Know?

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

South African Argid Sawfly

A medium-sized dark sawfly found in the fynbos and bushveld regions of South Africa. Adults have robust bodies and simple, three-segmented antennae typical of argids.

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Did You Know?

The Argidae is one of the few sawfly families with significant diversity in sub-Saharan Africa, where most other sawfly families are poorly represented.