Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite vs American Wasp Xenid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite | American Wasp Xenid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xenos vesparum | Xenos peckii |
| Order | Strepsiptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Xenidae | Xenidae |
| Size | 2-5 mm (males) | 3.0-5.0 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Wasp Twisted-Wing Parasite
An endoparasite of paper wasps where females spend their entire life inside the wasp host. Parasitized wasps are castrated and abandon their colony duties.
Did You Know?
Female Xenos never leave their wasp host — they live, mate, and give birth to thousands of larvae while permanently embedded in the wasps abdomen.
American Wasp Xenid
A parasite of paper wasps in eastern North America, commonly found in Polistes fuscatus colonies. It dramatically alters host wasp behavior.
Did You Know?
Up to 40% of paper wasps in some colonies can be parasitized by this twisted-wing parasite.