Sweat Bee Stylops vs Blue Striped Nettle Grub

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sweat Bee Stylops Blue Striped Nettle Grub
Scientific Name Stylops nevinsoni Parasa lepida
Order Strepsiptera Lepidoptera
Family Stylopidae Limacodidae
Size 2.0-3.0 mm (males) 30-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Parasites Herbivores
Regions Europe Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar)
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Sweat Bee Stylops

A strepsipteran endoparasite of Andrena bees in the British Isles. Parasitized bees emerge earlier than unparasitized individuals.

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Did You Know?

Infected bees emerge from hibernation earlier in spring, which helps the strepsipteran synchronize its mating season.

Blue Striped Nettle Grub

A small moth with vivid green forewings edged in dark chocolate brown. The caterpillar is bright green with blue longitudinal stripes and bears venomous urticating spines that cause intense pain.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar's sting is so painful it is compared to a wasp sting, and the venomous spines can cause welts lasting several days.