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STREPSIPTERA

(fr. Schlinger & Doutt, 1964)

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All known species of Strepsiptera are parasitic, thus a complete key to the order is given. It is derived

from Bohart (1941) and Schlinger & Doutt (1964). It was noted by Schlinger & Doutt (1964) that males are

unknown for Stichotrematidae and females are unknown for Myrmecolacidae.

Key to Adults of Families of Strepsiptera

[Please refer to <Guide> for illustrations (Powerful connections use <Guide-2>)]

Males

1a. Tarsi with fewer than 5 segments and clawless...................................................................................................2

1b. Tarsi with 5 segments and clawed......................................................................................................Mengeidae

2a. Tarsi with 4 segments..........................................................................................................................................3

2b. Tarsi with 2-3 segments.......................................................................................................................................5

3a. Antennae with less than 7 segments.....................................................................................................................4

3b. Antennae with 7 segments.........................................................................................................Myrmecolacidae

4a. Third and 4th antennal segments laterally fan-like..................................................................Callipharixenidae

4b. Only 3rd antennal segment laterally fan-like.......................................................................................Stylopidae

5a. Tarsi with 2 segments; antennae with 4 segments..............................................................................Elenchidae

5b. Tarsi with 3 segments; antennae with 7 segments.....................................................................Halictophagidae

Females

1a. Adult stage partially endoparasitic, without legs, antennae or eyes.....................................................................2

1b. Adult stage free living, with legs, antennae and eyes.........................................................................Mengeidae

2a. Cephalothorax without hook-like projections behind spiracles...........................................................................3

2b. Cephalothorax with hook-like projections behind spiracles.....................................................Stichotrematidae

3a. Cephalothorax with single pair of spiracles; thoracic segments not well defined...............................................4

3b. Cephalothorax greatly elongated, with 2 pairs of spiracles, or with head and thoracic segments distinct

.........................................................................................................................................Callipharixenidae

4a. Parasitoids of Homoptera or Gryllidae................................................................................................................5

4b. Parasitoids of Hymenoptera................................................................................................................Stylopidae

5a. Brood-passage opening a narrow, linear or oblong slit; thorax prominent ..............................Halictophagidae

5b. Brood-passage opening broad and semicircular; thorax reduced and ringlike in back of brood-passage

opening........................................................................................................................................Elenchidae