Fairyfly Wasp vs Malagasy Rover Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fairyfly Wasp Malagasy Rover Ant
Scientific Name Dicopomorpha echmepterygis Tetramorium kelleri
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Mymaridae Formicidae
Size 0.139-0.240 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Parasitoids Seed Feeders
Regions North America Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Fairyfly Wasp

The smallest known insect in the world at just 0.139 mm in length. Males are blind, wingless, and smaller than some single-celled organisms.

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Did You Know?

Males of this species are smaller than a paramecium — they are blind and wingless, existing solely to mate with sisters before they even leave the host egg.

Malagasy Rover Ant

A small, dark brown ant with rugose sculpture on the head and thorax. It is part of a massive endemic radiation of Tetramorium in Madagascar.

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Did You Know?

Madagascar harbors 113 endemic Tetramorium species, one of the most spectacular ant radiations on any island.