Sri Lankan Relict Ant vs Fairyfly Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sri Lankan Relict Ant Fairyfly Wasp
Scientific Name Aneuretus simoni Dicopomorpha echmepterygis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Aneuretidae Mymaridae
Size 3-4 mm 0.139-0.240 mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Omnivores Parasitoids
Regions Sri Lanka North America
Conservation Critically Endangered Least Concern

Sri Lankan Relict Ant

The sole surviving member of its entire subfamily, known only from a few localities in Sri Lanka's rainforests. A true living fossil representing an ancient ant lineage.

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Did You Know?

The only living species in its entire subfamily, all other members went extinct millions of years ago.

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.