Twisted-Wing Parasites: Strepsiptera - Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Behavior And Reproduction, Twisted-wing Parasites And People, No Common Name (halictophagus Naulti): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS

Twisted-Wing Parasites: Strepsiptera - Physical Characteristics

Adult males look like insects and measure 0.04 to 0.3 inches (1 to 7 millimeters) in length. The surfaces of their compound eyes are rough and resemble blackberries because each lens is slightly separate and clearly distinct from the surrounding lenses. Their antennae (an-TEH-nee), or sense organs, are branched and resemble tiny antlers. The mandibles, or biting mouthparts, if they have them at al…

Twisted-Wing Parasites: Strepsiptera - Habitat

Twisted-Wing Parasites: Strepsiptera - Behavior And Reproduction

The life cycles of twisted-wing parasites are complex. Adult males move about freely in the environment, while most females live their entire lives as parasites inside the bodies of other insects. However, in one group of twisted-wing parasites the females are free-living and go about their lives outside the bodies of their host insects. Emerging adult males use an inflatable sac on their heads to…

Twisted-Wing Parasites: Strepsiptera - Twisted-wing Parasites And People

Twisted-Wing Parasites: Strepsiptera - No Common Name (halictophagus Naulti): Species Account

Physical characteristics: Adult males are about 0.04 inches (1 millimeter) in length. They have three-segmented feet and seven-segmented antennae. The females are pale yellow and brown and resemble the larvae. Geographic range: This species is known only from the state of Morelos, Mexico. Habitat: This species parasitizes the corn leafhopper. Diet: The larvae and adult females are parasites that l…