Strepsiptera

Strepsiptera is an order of insects whose males are free-living and winged, while females of many species remain permanently embedded as parasites in other insects.

Stylopization: Parasitic infection by a strepsipteran, in which the female occupies the host and alters its biology. This is the condition produced when a strepsipteran develops inside an insect host.
Insect: An arthropod with a three-part body, six legs, and usually one or two pairs of wings. Strepsiptera belongs to this animal class despite its highly modified adult forms.
Strepsiptera taxonomy: The classification of Strepsiptera into families, genera, and species. Its internal groups capture major differences in host choice and female development.
Strepsipteran host range: The set of insect species that strepsipterans can infect and develop within. Host range determines where each species can persist and how it affects insect communities.
Stylops: A genus of strepsipterans that parasitizes mining bees and other bees. Its females protrude from the host abdomen, giving a classic example of stylopization.
Strepsipteran life cycle: The developmental sequence from mobile first-instar larva to host-associated adult and dispersing offspring. It explains how offspring find hosts despite adults having sharply different lifestyles.
Insect metamorphosis: The developmental transformation through distinct immature and adult body forms in insects. Strepsipterans undergo complete metamorphosis, with larvae unlike their highly specialized adults.
Coleoptera: The insect order containing beetles, recognized by hardened forewings called elytra. Strepsiptera was once grouped with beetles because of similarities in wing structure.
Strepsipteran host manipulation: Changes to a host's physiology or behavior caused by strepsipteran infection. Infection can alter reproduction and other traits, revealing parasite effects on host biology.
Mengenilla: A genus of strepsipterans whose females are free-living rather than permanently embedded. It demonstrates that the order's characteristic female parasitism has exceptions.

Linked from 1 page

DipteraCompared with: Its unusual wing arrangement shows that reduced wings evolved elsewhere in insects too.