Tinkerbell Fairyfly vs Grass Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tinkerbell Fairyfly Grass Sawfly
Scientific Name Tinkerbella nana Pachynematus clitellatus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Mymaridae Tenthredinidae
Size 0.25 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Underground Meadows
Diet Parasitoids Herbivores
Regions Central America Europe, Northern Asia
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.

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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.

Grass Sawfly

A small, inconspicuous greenish sawfly associated with grasses. Larvae are smooth, pale green and feed on various meadow grasses.

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Did You Know?

Grass-feeding sawflies are among the least studied groups of Symphyta despite being common and widespread in grassland ecosystems.