How small is the smallest? New record and remeasuring of Scydosella musawasensis Hall, 1999 (Coleoptera, Ptiliidae), the smallest known free-living insect

2015/10/08 by Alexey A. Polilov · 2 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy #Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution #Fossil Insects in Amber

paper · doi:10.3897/zookeys.526.6531

openalex publication_date 2015/10/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/04/04

Abstract

The smallest known beetle Scydosella musawasensis Hall is recorded for the second time. Precise measurements of its body size are given, and it is shown that the smallest examined representative of this species has a length of 325 µm.

Citations

• A new genus and species of fairyfly, Tinkerbella nana (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), with comments on its sister genus Kikiki, and discussion on small size limits in arthropods
• Small Is Beautiful: Features of the Smallest Insects and Limits to Miniaturization

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