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Order
- STREPSIPTERA
(Greek,
strepsis = twisting; pteron = wing)
Common
Name:
stylops
Distribution:
Cosmopolitan
Description
Twisted-winged parasites or Strepsiptera usually have active first
stage larvae that attach to adult hosts (usually bees or wasps in
North American species), ride back to the host’s nest and burrow
into the host’s larva where they develop as legless internal parasites,
staying inside their hosts at least until adulthood. The strange
twisted-winged adults which give rise to the common name of the
family are all males, as females are wingless and legless and never
leave the host (there are a few non-parasitic species in which the
females have legs). Male strepsipterans have big eyes, antler-like
antennae, large, twisted hind wings, and tiny front wings which
look and function like the halters of flies. Twisted-winged parasites
are widespread, but you are not too likely to see any winged males
unless you rear them from their distinctively distorted parasitised
hosts, as they live just long enough to find a host parasitised
by a female. This photo shows a paper wasp with strepsipteran pupae
sticking out between the abdominal tergites.
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