Twisted-Winged Parasitoid vs Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Twisted-Winged Parasitoid Twisted-Wing Honeybee Parasite
Scientific Name Elenchus tenuicornis Stylops ovinae
Order Strepsiptera Strepsiptera
Family Elenchidae Stylopidae
Size 1-3 mm 2-4 mm (males)
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Parasites Parasites
Regions Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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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.

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.