Twisted-Winged Parasitoid vs Bee Stylops

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Twisted-Winged Parasitoid Bee Stylops
Scientific Name Elenchus tenuicornis Stylops pacificus
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Elenchidae Stylopidae
Size 1-3 mm 2.0-3.5 mm (males)
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Twisted-Winged Parasitoid

A minute strepsipteran that parasitizes planthoppers of the family Delphacidae. Males have fan-shaped hind wings and raspberry-like compound eyes unique among insects.

💡

Did You Know?

Strepsiptera have unique compound eyes with far fewer but much larger individual lenses than any other insect, resembling a cluster of berries.

Bee Stylops

A strepsipteran parasite of Andrena bees in western North America. Males emerge as tiny winged adults that live for only a few hours.

💡

Did You Know?

Male strepsipterans have the shortest adult lifespan of any insect, often living less than five hours.