The smallest insect in the world is a fairy wasp named Dicopomorpha echmepterygis. This tiny creature weighs just a few milligrams and is a beautiful blue. Although it can be a real problem for gardeners, its sting is harmless. It can be seen flying through trees and attracted to rotting fruit and dead insects.
Dicopomorpha echmepterygis
One of the smallest insect species in the world is a parasitic wasp, Dicopomorpha echmepterygis. This type of wasp parasitizes the eggs of other insects. These parasitic wasps are very useful in controlling invasive and native pests.
The females of this wasp are larger than the males. They measure up to 139 um in length, while the males are blind and wingless.
These wereps belong to the group Mymaridae. Other species of this group include Kikiki huna, which has a body length of 155 mm and Megaphragma caribea, which is 170 mm long. Both wereps have been described from the Hawaiian Islands.
These wereps have been described from many parts of the world. However, most of the Mymaridae are found in temperate regions. Most species of this family are parasitic, and they lay their eggs inside the eggs of other insects. In some cases, they even lay their eggs within the nests of their host.
Some of the Mymaridae wereps are extremely small, with males that are only a few microns in size. Other Chalcidoidea species, such as Megaphragma mymaripenne, are a bit bigger. But these wereps also exhibit a great sexual dimorphism.
Despite their small size, the males of this wasp have large, robust hindfeet. Male Dicopomorpha have highly derived mushroom-shaped tars and grappling spurs on their hindfeet.
Parasitic wasps are a member of the larger group of flying wasps. Many of these wereps are tiny, with some being as little as 0.005 inches long.
These wasps parasitize the eggs of other insects, and the females are unable to leave their host. They only produce one egg at a time. Their eggs are only about 0.1 mm in diameter, and they are laid directly into the eggs of their host.
Kikiki huna
The smallest flying insect in the world is the Kikiki huna (Mymaridae), a parasitoid fairy wasp. It is tiny enough to fit on the tip of a fine drawing pen.
The species is found in the islands of Hawai’i, Costa Rica, and Trinidad. However, its origins are unknown. In fact, it was likely accidentally introduced to the area from elsewhere.
The female of the species has a body length of 158 millimeters, and has a wingspan of 160 millimeters. It has a wing surface reduced in thickness, which may help reduce drag and turbulence while flying.
Despite its small size, it can be difficult to find. It is mostly found in Neotropical America, but it is also found in Trinidad, Canada, Australia, and Argentina.
According to John T. Huber, the species’ name is derived from Hawaiian words for “tiny bit.” But Huber, like most researchers, doesn’t know if the insects were originally indigenous to Hawai’i, or were introduced from elsewhere.
As of 2011, the record for the smallest winged insect is held by Kikiki huna. According to Huber, the species’ name is based on the Hawaiian phrase for “tiny bit.”
Kikiki huna is closely related to the tinkerbella nana wasp, another chalcid wasp. These two species are also parasitoid fairy wasps. They are parasites of other insect eggs, and they live on plants in a variety of habitats.
Until now, the tiniest flying insect was the tiny fly Euryplatea nanaknihali. Although its facet diameter is a few millimeters larger than Megaphragma mymaripenne, it has a much smaller wingspan, measuring 0.325 millimeters.
However, it is unclear whether the males of the genus Dicopomorpha echmepterygis, which is similar to Kikiki huna, are the smallest. Several males of this species have been observed, but measurements are very limited.
Termite queens
A termite queen is the largest member of a termite species. They are slightly larger than termite workers. The queen lays hundreds of eggs each day to support the colony. These eggs help the species survive, and contribute to termite adaptability.
Queens have the longest lifespans of any insect. Scientists are still researching how long these insects can live. Some species have been observed to live for more than 20 years.
Queens lay up to a quarter-billion eggs in their lifetime. This figure varies based on the age and species of the termite. Typically, queens live for 5 to 10 years.
Termite colonies are organized in a highly structured way. Each insect has a specific role within the colony. Workers tend to the eggs and young immatures, and the queen provides resources to support the production of offspring.
Termite colonies are often described as superorganisms. Unlike colonies of social bees, termites do not have a single caste. There are many different castes and they perform different tasks.
Depending on the species, termite queens may lay thousands of eggs in a single day. When they die, a secondary queen takes over.
The queen’s ability to lay eggs is one of the main factors that determine the size of a termite colony. In the tropical regions, egg production is continuous, but in temperate climates it is suspended during cooler months.
Unlike social bees, the reproductive males of termites and other ant species die after mating. However, they leave behind a pheromone that helps stimulate a king to replace the queen.
In addition to the female reproductives, termite colonies produce winged virgins every year. They swarm the air to avoid crossbreeding with other termites.
Fairy wasps
Fairy wasps are a small insect that can be found in a variety of locations. They are parasitic wasps and are part of the family Mymaridae. The smallest fairy wasps are less than a millimetre long.
Fairy wasps can be found in tropical and temperate regions around the world. Some species are parasites while others are solitary.
These tiny insects are known for their unusual survival strategy. In a study, a researcher found that fairy wasps eat sugar for energy and sacrifice cellular extravagances in order to survive. This may be why they have such a short lifespan.
Fairy wasps are also used as biological control agents for agricultural systems. Although they are relatively small, they are able to attack and wreak havoc on other insect populations.
These parasitic wasps have been found in a number of regions, including southeastern Asia and Japan. They have also been introduced to Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. Their effectiveness has been mixed, with some species being effective and others having limited effect.
Parasitic wasps in the family Mymaridae are some of the smallest insect species on earth. The female fairy wasp has wings and lays eggs inside other insect eggs. Her life cycle varies depending on her role in the colony.
There are many species of fairy wasps. Each is different, but they have the same general characteristics. Usually, they live only a couple of days, and they can be quite destructive.
Fairy wasps are a good example of biodiversity that still needs to be fully understood. They are parasitic wasps and their larvae are capable of attacking other insects’ eggs and invading their nests. However, they can avoid most predators.
Mantis
Mantids, also known as mantises, are a class of insect in the order Orthoptera. They can be found throughout the world. Their distribution ranges from warm temperate to subtropical regions. Various species are found in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. Some species are brightly colored, while others are plain.
Many of the smaller varieties of mantids do not have wings. These insects have compound eyes with a group of ommatidia at the center. This allows them to have high spatial resolution. In addition, they can also use binocular triangulation to determine their prey’s distance.
Some of the largest mantids are capable of consuming small mammals and birds. Some species are also known to consume other pest insects, such as ants. Other mantids are not known to eat humans. However, there are a few species that have been found to produce a toxin that can kill humans.
Mantids are almost perfect predators. They paralyze their prey and eat it. Most species also exhibit sexual cannibalism. But they also feed on beneficial insects and small lizards.
The smallest species is called Bolbe pygmaea. It is native to Australia. When fully grown, it can fly.
The largest species can be five inches long. There are several species that live in the United States. Some of these mantids will eat hummingbirds. Another type, the Chinese mantis, is known to eat cockroaches and small reptiles.
Praying mantis have a triangular head and a thorax. These creatures have six legs. A mantis can turn its head 360 degrees. Usually, it will use its front two legs to capture its prey. If the mantis becomes agitated, it will use its forelegs to attack.