Bristly Tachinid Fly vs Tinkerbell Fairyfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bristly Tachinid Fly Tinkerbell Fairyfly
Scientific Name Nowickia ferox Tinkerbella nana
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Tachinidae Mymaridae
Size 12-16 mm 0.25 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Europe, Asia Central America
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Bristly Tachinid Fly

A large, heavily bristled tachinid fly with a gray-checkered pattern on the abdomen. It is conspicuously spiny and frequently visits flowers in late summer.

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Did You Know?

Its exceptionally long and stiff bristles are thought to help prevent birds from swallowing it.

Tinkerbell Fairyfly

One of the smallest insects ever described, named after Peter Pans Tinker Bell. Discovered in Costa Rica in 2013. Measures only 0.25 mm in length.

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Did You Know?

Named after the fairy Tinkerbell, this wasp is so tiny it can stand on the tip of a human hair — it was described in 2013 from specimens collected using specialized micro-traps.