Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite vs Bolas Spider Moth Mimic
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite | Bolas Spider Moth Mimic |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stylops ovinae | Celaenia excavata |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Stylopidae | Noctuidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm (males) | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasites | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
Male Strepsiptera have the shortest adult lifespan of any insect, often living just 2-5 hours.
Bolas Spider Moth Mimic
An Australian moth whose eggs are so tough they resemble seeds and can survive passage through a bird digestive tract — potentially allowing bird-mediated dispersal over long distances.
Did You Know?
The eggs of this moth are so hard-shelled they can survive being eaten by a bird and pass through its digestive system intact — a unique form of insect dispersal.