Sweat Bee Stylops vs Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sweat Bee Stylops Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite
Scientific Name Stylops nevinsoni Stylops ovinae
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Stylopidae Stylopidae
Size 2.0-3.0 mm (males) 2-4 mm (males)
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Europe Europe
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.

Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite

A tiny endoparasite of Andrena bees whose females are permanently embedded in the host's abdomen. Males live only a few hours as free-flying adults with twisted hind wings.

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Did You Know?

Male Strepsiptera have the shortest adult lifespan of any insect, often living just 2-5 hours.