Tinkerbell Fairyfly vs Discothyrea Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tinkerbell Fairyfly | Discothyrea Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tinkerbella nana | Discothyrea testacea |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mymaridae | Formicidae |
| Size | 0.25 mm | 1.5-2 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Omnivores |
| Regions | Central America | Southern Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
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.
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.
Discothyrea Ant
An extremely small and rarely seen ant with only a single-segmented antennal club, unique among ants. It nests deep in soil and rotting wood across southern Europe.
Did You Know?
Its single-segment antennal club is found in no other ant genus, making it instantly recognizable to myrmecologists.