Strepsiptera

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Strepsiptera
Temporal range: Middle Cretaceous - Recent
male
Scientific classification
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Strepsiptera

Kirby, 1813

Strepsiptera is a order of insects, any of about 600 species of small insects that are notable for their bizarre form of parasitism. Strepsipterans are parasitic in planthoppers, leafhoppers, treehoppers, froghoppers, bees, and other insects.

Description[change | change source]

Mature females are usually wingless and saclike, whereas the males have large, fanlike hindwings, short, clublike forewings, bulging eyes, and comblike antennae.