The insect class corresponds to the most diverse group of animals on the planet, within which there are a million identified species, with many millions more yet to be described. These animals have managed to colonize a large number of ecosystems, developing multiple forms of adaptation that facilitate their dissemination.
In general, insects tend to be tiny in size, especially when compared to other groups of animals. This is why on our site, we want to offer you an article about the 10 smallest insects in the world, which is an arduous task considering the wide variety of insects tiny ones that exist on the planet.
Dicopomorpha echmepterygis
This is a species of wasp of the order Hymenoptera, which is distributed specifically in North America. Without a doubt, it is among the smallest adult insects in the world, as its length ranges between 0.139 and 0.240 millimeters.
It is a parasitic insect that spends most of its life inside the eggs of its host, which is the bark louse.
Caribbean Megaphragma
In this case we have another species of wasp, one of the smallest flying insects that exist. Although there are other species within this genus, this is the smallest of the group. It has dimensions between 0.181 and 0.224 millimeters It is also found in tropical and subtropical regions.
Scydosella musawasensis
This is a species of beetle, considered one of the smallest insects in the world. It belongs to the Ptiliidae family, which groups together various tiny beetles. It has an elongated body and an oval shape. So far the smallest individual identified has been 0.325 mm, and in general they have a mean dimension of 0.338 mm
Despite its size it is not a parasitic animal, it feeds on fungal spores from the Basidiomycota group. Initially it had been located in Nicaragua, but it has also been found in Colombia.
Euryplatea nanaknihali
Within this group of tiny insects, we must also include a member of the Diptera order, it is the fly more small described. Its size is undoubtedly surprising when compared to other species of flies. The dimension that it usually reaches is 0.4 millimeters and it is native to Asia.
In the larval phase it is a parasite, feeding on the internal tissue of the ant's head where the eggs are laid.
Weevils
Here we do not find a single insect, but rather a group of coleoptera that are characterized by their tiny size. They are included in the Curculionidae family and are distinguished by feeding on plant material, for which they use a chewing mouthpart.
In many cases, various species become pests, due to the damage they can cause. For example in crops. Some species measure 0.5 mm such as Hypothenemus hampei and others reach 1 cm, for example, the mallow weevil (Lixus pulverulentus).
Wasmannia auropunctata
This is an insect of the Formicidae family, which includes ants In this case we have the smallest species of the group, which depending on the country can be named in different ways. It is considered one of the most harmful invasive alien species in the world, having a wide distribution in America, Africa and Oceania.
They are golden or light brown ants that measure on average 1.5 millimeters in length. Despite its small size, it is capable of causing severe pain from its bite.
Culex pipiens
Another of the insects that is in the category of the smallest in the world, is the common mosquito. It has dimensions between 3 to 7 millimeters Despite its size, this animal is capable of transmitting various viruses, which cause different types of serious diseases.
The common mosquito is a cosmopolitan species, with a wide distribution range in America, Africa, Asia and Europe.
Fleas
Another group of small insects are the fleas, which are grouped in the order Siphonaptera, and which are known closely about two thousand species. They are ectoparasitic and hematophagous animals, which feed on a great diversity of vertebrate animals, including humans.
Fleas are between 1.5 to 3.3 millimeters in diameter. However, they are capable of long jumps that horizontally reach up to 10 times their size. An important aspect is that they are transmitters of various disease-causing pathogens.
Boreids
These small insects belong to the Boreidae family, which is not very diverse among this class, since it has approximately 30 species.
They are found in northern regions, which is why they are considered a boreal species. The size of these insects does not exceed 6 millimeters, and their wings are vestigial or completely lacking.
Western Pygmy Blue Butterfly
Compared to the rest of the insects described, its size is larger, but it seems important to us to consider one of the smallest butterflies in the world within the group. It is native to America, distributed from the United States to the south in Venezuela.
It is a tiny copper-brown butterfly with blue on its upper base and has a wingspan of only 12 to 20 millimeters.
As we have been able to appreciate, this article has been developed not only according to the species, but also some groups have been incorporated. The great existing diversity of species could lead us to the elaboration of different articles. However, the main intention has been to learn about various types of small insects.
