The Strepsiptera parasitise silverfish, cockroaches, mantids, orthopterans, wasps and bees, and flies, although they are mainly found on Hymenoptera and the Auchenorrhyncha Hemipterans. When an insect has been infected by a strepsiptera it is called “stylopisation”. There is one listed undescribed (genus and species) of Strepsiptera. Females are always within the host, where as the males have wings and can fly freely. The female buries herself between the metasomal terga. Males are winged.
Male in a Leptospermum flower.
Early January 2023
pinmatik/Rocky Cape National Park, Sisters Beach
Female parasitising a native bee.
Early January 2011
Sisters Beach
Information and Identification thanks to Bernhard Jacobi
References
Naumann, I. D & Naumann, I. D & CSIRO. Division of Entomology 1991, The Insects of Australia : a textbook for students and research workers, 2nd ed, Melbourne University Press, Carlton South, Vic
Semmens, T. D., McQuillan, P. B., & Hayhurst G. 1992. Catalogue of the Insects of Tasmania. Department of Primary Industry Tasmania.