Tinkerbell Fairyfly vs Varied Carpet Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tinkerbell Fairyfly | Varied Carpet Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tinkerbella nana | Anthrenus verbasci |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Mymaridae | Dermestidae |
| Size | 0.25 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Omnivores |
| Regions | Central America | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Not Evaluated |
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.
Varied Carpet Beetle
A tiny, round beetle with mottled white, brown, and yellow scales on its elytra. It is a worldwide pest of natural fiber collections.
Did You Know?
Museum curators consider it one of the greatest threats to insect specimen collections.