Twisted-Wing Insects

Stylops melittae

Image Credit: Aiwok

Twisted-wing insects (Stylopidae, formerly their own order Strepsiptera) – parasites on pollenivores. These peculiar insects are internal parasites of bees and other insects. The males have remarkably unique wings; the females are flightless and remain “halfway-in” the bee’s body; mating occurs on the back of the female bee. I personally have never seen a male in the wild, but the females are occasionally visible (if you are looking for them!). Though they are a negative for pollination, they probably only kill a tiny percentage of bees.

twistedwing1 twistedwing2

Notice the 2 females at the base of the 4th abdominal segment on the left and the mating couple on the right.