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.
Female parasitising a native bee.
The female buries herself between the metasomal terga. Males are winged.
Early January 2011
Sisters Beach
Information and Identification thanks to Bernhard Jacobi
References
CSIRO, 1990. Insects of Australia, Volume 2: A Textbook for Students and Research Workers. 2nd Edition. Melbourne University Publishing.
Semmens, T. D., McQuillan, P. B., & Hayhurst G. 1992. Catalogue of the Insects of Tasmania. Department of Primary Industry Tasmania.