European-species
Guides
Microchrysa polita
black-horned gem, black-horned gem fly
Microchrysa polita, commonly known as the black-horned gem or black-horned gem fly, is a small species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. Adults are active from March through September and are found in deciduous woodland edges, hedgerows, gardens, and parks across Europe, Asia, and North America. The species is notable for its distinctive black antennae and predominantly black legs.
Neoneurus
Neoneurus is a genus of minute parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, tribe Neoneurini. These wasps are specialized ant parasitoids, with females attacking adult ant workers in flight to deposit their eggs. The genus includes species such as Neoneurus vesculus, which has been filmed ovipositing into Formica cunicularia workers. Neoneurus species are among the few parasitoids capable of overcoming ant defenses, representing a highly specialized ecological adaptation.
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