Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite vs Metallic Leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite | Metallic Leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stylops ovinae | Chrysolina polita |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Stylopidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm (males) | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasites | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Western Asia |
| 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.
Metallic Leaf Beetle
A medium-sized beetle with richly burnished copper-red to bronze elytra and a metallic green to blue pronotum. The contrast between thorax and elytra colors makes it easily recognizable.
Did You Know?
This beetle is unusual among leaf beetles in being most active during autumn and winter, with adults sometimes seen walking on mild winter days.