Small-size

Guides

Oxyelophila callista
Oxyelophila callista is a small moth species in the family Crambidae, described by William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes in 1922. It is known from Texas and is characterized by aquatic larval development, an unusual trait among Lepidoptera. The species has a wingspan of approximately 13 mm and shows adult activity in spring and autumn.
aquatic-moth Texas-endemic small-size bivoltine-or-extended-emergence
Pacifastacus leniusculus
Signal Crayfish
The signal crayfish is a large North American freshwater crayfish introduced to Europe in the 1960s to replace declining native fisheries. It has become one of the most ecologically impactful invasive decapods in Europe, outcompeting native crayfish and serving as a carrier of crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci). The species establishes self-sustaining populations rapidly, with six age cohorts documented within a few years of introduction. It shows sex- and size-specific coloration patterns, with males displaying more saturated and brighter ventral claw surfaces than females, suggesting a role in intraspecific communication.
invasive-species crayfish-plague-carrier decapod freshwater-crustacean conservation-concern species-of-Union-concern early-detection-rapid-response ark-sites ecosystem-engineer bioaccumulation sexual-dimorphism nocturnal-activity invasion-gradient trapping electrofishing eradication Mediterranean-invasion headwater-threat native-crayfish-displacement fisheries-introduction 1960s-introduction Europe Japan California-native Pacifastacus Astacidae Decapoda Malacostraca Arthropoda Aphanomyces-astaci white-clawed-crayfish signal-crayfish control-planning removal-actions catch-per-unit-effort color-variation carotenoids camouflage conspicuousness intraspecific-communication elemental-accumulation contaminant trophic-level macroinvertebrate plant-detritus riffle stream river lake tributary invasion-front core-population exploratory-behavior migration-patterns ontogenetic-color-change kick-sampling detection-protocol false-negative Catalonia Italy Portugal Spain Poland Scandinavia British-Isles Segura-River Clitunno-River Valla-stream Rabaçal-River Fosso-Vecchio Union-concern LIFE-IMAGINE eradication-attempt biosecurity pathway-action-plans INNS-inspectorate environmental-DNA eDNA host-pathogen-dynamics conservation-translocation ark-site aggregates-levy environment-agency BBC-wildlife-fund defra habitats-directive favourable-conservation-status unfavourable-bad extinction-risk funding-cuts ecosystem-services keystone-species woodland pollination decomposition nutrient-cycling predation water-purification citizen-science ex-situ-conservation-rearing zoos aquaria Fen-Raft-Spider Pond-Mud-Snail Large-Marsh-Grasshopper Freshwater-Pearl-Mussel Marbled-White-Butterfly Small-Skipper climate-change assisted-colonization range-margin biotic-response abiotic-driver warming pollution eutrophication functional-trait thermal-limit embryogenesis competitive-advantage alien-aquatic-species artificial-light-at-night nutrient-enrichment brown-trout biological-control clearance-rate parasite-load sympatry global-invader predatory-interaction experimental-approach epiphytic-algae submerged-plant-community molecular-tools informatics social-media pooled-sampling integrative-taxonomy hybrid bryozoan cost-efficient-methodology policy-effectiveness legislative-tools LIFE-INVASAQUA networking prevention awareness marine-protected-area citizen-science-data non-native-freshwater-fish knowledge-gaps invasive-alien-freshwater-plants naturalised-plants aquatic-habitats pot-plants horticulture New-Guinea-flatworm Partula-tree-snails Lob-worm Lumbricus-terrestris Harlequin-ladybird Oak-processionary-moth New-Zealand-flatworm Australian-flatworm Lily-beetle Rosemary-leaf-beetle Spanish-slug Girdled-snail Australian-landhopper Light-brown-apple-moth Asian-hornet Argentine-ant Linepithema-humile Vespa-velutina ash-dieback Hymenoscyphus-fraxineus Floating-Pennywort Giant-Hogweed Chinese-Mitten-Crab Eriocheir-sinensis Ballast-Water-Convention Office-for-Environmental-Protection Environmental-Improvement-Plan Global-Biodiversity-Framework delisting listing rapid-response Great-Britain-Non-native-Species-Strategy Nature-2030 Wildlife-and-Countryside-Link Buglife invertebrate conservation reintroduction reinforcement assisted-colonisation habitat-management genetic-diversity donor-stock stakeholder-collaboration Natural-England eNGO landowner public-engagement media-attention tabloid sensationalism spider size-of-rats Marvellous-Mud-Snails-Cornwall Citizen-Zoo Hop-of-Hope volunteer ex-situ-rearing long-life-cycle glochidia salmonid-fish-host Freshwater-Biology-Association juvenile-mussel habitat-restoration micro-habitat Field-Cricket Wart-biter-Bush-cricket Barberry-Carpet-Moth Marsh-Fritillary-Butterfly Fisher's-Estuarine-Moth Southern-Damselfly White-faced-Darter-Dragonfly Pine-Hoverfly Dark-bordered-Beauty-Moth Medicinal-Leech Tadpole-Shrimp Netted-Carpet-Moth Ladybird-Spider Narrow-headed-Ant Cumbria Dorset Devon microhabitat low-mobility natural-colonization short-haired-bumblebee Bombus-subterraneus sub-optimal-management Barberry-bush Paul-Waring Benoit-Guénard conservation-funding vertebrate-bias invertebrate-neglect beaver Castor-fiber pine-marten Martes-martes bird-of-prey Large-Blue-Butterfly Phengaris-arion Chequered-Skipper Carterocephalus-palaemon mainland-Europe national-reintroduction local-reintroduction donor-population receptor-site county 400-m isolated-habitat England-Species-Reintroduction-Task-Force Karim-Vahed half-a-century diverse-species logistically-easier guidelines code government habitat-conditions site-conditions targeted-habitat-management mobility recovery unsuccessful-case lack-of-genetic-diversity optimal-management establishment-failure care knowledge funding-allocation PNAS threatened-species 80%6%species-numbers imbalance legislation wild-release high-profile main-image Decticus-verrucivorus Dr-Sarah-Henshall share Facebook LinkedIn Trinity-Audio tweet NEOBIOTA-2024 Lisbon 421-participants 47-countries invasion-science aquatic-studies marine freshwater oral-session poster workshop NeoBiota-Special-Issue editorial Pedro-Anastácio Filipe-Ribeiro Paula-Chainho 23-papers five-themes 100th-issue ZooKeys digital-taxonomy environmental-stressor invasion-success salinity sea-level-rise Alternanthera-philoxeroides stress-tolerance avoidance escape Gonçalves physiological-performance Callinectes-sapidus climate-warming Phymactis-papillosa environmental-tolerance ecological-impact Portuguese-intertidal synergistic-effect Zhang ecological-interaction invasion-impact population-dynamics Salmo-trutta Matos bivalve capture-efficiency natural-seston Cabral Eupercaria Tkachenko global-aquatic-invader Reshetnikov Pontederia-crassipes Pistia-stratiotes Shen detection monitoring surveillance early-detection Dias Xenopus-laevis pooled-eDNA Everts Squalius Gkenas Chilean-SE-Pacific Rech management policy legislative-tool EU-policy sectoral-impact Magliozzi freshwater-turtle Rato Carosi habitat-use trapping-efficiency hypersaline-lagoon Herrero-Reyes Iberian-Peninsula López-Cañizares African-marine-protected-area global-database Ackland Indian-freshwater-fish evidence-gap Kumar European-freshwater-plant ecosystem-impact Di-Lernia global-synthesis naturalised-plant aquatic-habitat Kortz interdisciplinarity translational-relevance issue-4930 Bluesky scholarly-publishing ecology invasion-ecology aquatic-ecosystem flatworm snail gang-attack extinction pot-plant soil-sterilization fumigation hot-water-immersion biosecurity-measure international-trade Hirudo-medicinalis Neil-Phillips Steven-Falk Sarah-Henshall omphiscola-glabra Cornwall Scotland Blera-fallax Epione-vespertaria Triops-cancriformis Eustroma-reticulatum Eresus-sandaliatus Formica-exsecta Gryllus-campestris Decticus-verrucivorous Pareulype-berberata Euphydryas-aurinia Margaritifera-margaritifera Gortyna-borelii-lunata Dolomedes-plantarius Coenagrion-mercuriale Leucorrhinia-dubia Stethophyma-grossum Melanargia-galathea Thymelicus-sylvestris Formica-rufa Kielder-Forest Northumberland Liz-Oldring Stephen-Wills Durham-University climate-suitability limited-funding biased-funding vertebrate nature-positive-trade 2024-General-Election Manifesto-for-Bugs seven-actions commitments halting-nature-loss reversing-invertebrate-decline Andrew-Whitehouse South-West-Manager Lord-De-Mauley wildlife-minister mineral-extraction Treasury George-Entwistle 50%-cut badger-cull river-dredging £100K £12.75 £420 £1,616 2012 2014 21-projects 2-projects reporting Bedstraw-hawk-moth national-pride leadership David-Smith Social-Change-and-Advocacy-Officer Lisa-Manning Policy-and-Engagement-Officer February-2024 GB-Non-Native-Species-Strategy one-year-anniversary measurability timeline off-track 2030 time-lag establishment Red-Imported-Fire-Ant Solenopsis-invicta world's-worst-invasive-species PaPs draft-form consultation-delay 2023-State-of-Nature-Report Environmental-Audit-Committee £6-million animal-health plant-health resourcing long-term-future slipped-timelines inefficient-process fully-resourced-implementation-plans general-election manifesto smallest-creatures foundations healthy-environment ecosystem-function nature's-decline action commitment England-Manager deliberate-movement release wild conservation-purpose feathered furred multitude large-scale 1980s 1990s 2018 England small-size small-scale region 2005 2007 2008 2010-2015 2009 2010 2019 2022 2023 isolated high-reproductive-potential cost-effective zoo aquarium collaboration ten-different-zoos thousands spiderlings four-new-populations Norfolk Suffolk media-response 2024 headline homeowner urgent-warning relatively-easy-to-rear local-schools colleges volunteers small-aquaria 500-snails four-new-sites 6,000 47-volunteers long-complex-life-cycle long-lived many-years 50,000 specialised-facilities hundreds juvenile-mussels ageing-populations Northern-England natural-range conservation-status 2000 climatically-suitable nine-years pest-species Forestry-England Wood-Ant keystone-woodland-species rescue immediate-danger Austropotamobius-pallipes North-American-Signal-Crayfish Pacifastacus-leniusculus outcompetes fungal Crayfish-Plague susceptible successful-reintroduction rigorous-planning appropriate-guidelines reintroduction-code natural-habitat restoration micro-habitat-requirements life-cycle-stage conservation-tool-kit targeted-habitat-restoration mobile-species species-specialist public 2010s 2004 thousands-of-caterpillars multiple-attempts public-attention vertebrate-relative 2025 opposite-pattern celebration
Perdita genalis
Perdita genalis is a small, solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1964. It belongs to the genus Perdita, which comprises numerous diminutive bees often specialized in their foraging habits. Members of this genus are among the smallest bees in North America. The species has been documented in Middle America and North America.
solitary-bee mining-bee Andrenidae small-size Timberlake-1964
Perimede falcata
Perimede falcata is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, described by Annette Frances Braun in 1919. It occurs across eastern North America from the Great Lakes region to the Gulf Coast. Adults are active year-round and are characterized by distinctive wing coloration.
moth Cosmopterigidae North-America year-round-activity small-size
Perithemis tenera
Eastern Amberwing
Perithemis tenera, commonly known as the Eastern Amberwing, is a very small dragonfly species in the family Libellulidae, reaching a maximum length of 25 mm. It is notable for being one of the few dragonflies that actively mimics a wasp, with yellow and brown abdominal stripes that deter predators. The species exhibits territorial behavior, with documented prior residency advantage in territorial disputes. Males have distinctive orange or amber wings, while both sexes display a red pterostigma.
dragonfly wasp-mimicry territorial small-size amber-wings
Phidippus insignarius
Phidippus insignarius is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. Mature males average just under 5 millimeters in body length, females 5.45 millimeters. The species ranges across much of the eastern and central United States, from Colorado eastward through the Great Plains and into the Northeast. It inhabits open woodlands, prairies, and oak thickets with scattered vegetation. The male displays distinctive bright white hairs on the carapace, legs, and palps, while females lack these markings but share the bushy "eyebrows" characteristic of many Phidippus species.
jumping-spider salticid small-size sexual-dimorphism grassland woodland-understory North-America
Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii
Ant Woodlouse
Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii is a small, white, ant-associated woodlouse that lives exclusively in ant nests, particularly those of Lasius flavus, Lasius niger, and Myrmica species. It feeds on ant droppings and mildew within these colonies. The species is considered blind, likely an adaptation to its dark subterranean habitat. Its distribution closely tracks that of its host ants across Europe, North Africa, Turkey, and introduced populations in Australia and North America.
myrmecophilous ant-associated eyeless white small-size
Platyhydnobius arizonensis
Platyhydnobius arizonensis is a small beetle species in the family Leiodidae. It measures 2.7–3.5 mm in length. The species has a broad distribution across forested northern North America, ranging from Alaska to Newfoundland, with a disjunct population in Arizona.
beetle Coleoptera Leiodidae North-America forest small-size
Psallus
Psallus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, subfamily Phylinae, comprising over 160 described species. The genus is predominantly Palearctic in distribution, with some species demonstrating Holarctic ranges and several having been introduced to the Nearctic region. Species are generally small, often measuring under 4 mm, with many exhibiting reddish or orange coloration. Host plant associations have been documented for several species, primarily with woody plants including oaks (Quercus), willows (Salix), and birch (Betula).
Miridae Phylinae plant-bugs Hemiptera Palearctic Holarctic Anatolia oak-associated small-size male-genitalia-required-for-identification
Psenocerus supernotatus
Currant-tip Borer
Psenocerus supernotatus, commonly known as the Currant-tip Borer, is a small longhorned beetle (family Cerambycidae) notable for its remarkable ant-mimicry. At only 4 millimeters in length, it is the sole species in the genus Psenocerus. The beetle exhibits Batesian mimicry, with white markings on its elytra creating the illusion of a constricted "waist" that resembles ant body segmentation. Despite its common name suggesting currant as a host, it has been reared from multiple hardwood species including Green Hawthorn, Tulip Tree, and Black Willow.
ant-mimicry Batesian-mimicry wood-boring-beetle spring-active small-size Lamiinae Desmiphorini
Pseudomyrmex elongatus
Mangrove Twig Ant
Pseudomyrmex elongatus is a small, slender ant species in the family Formicidae, distributed widely from Mexico to Argentina. It belongs to a genus characterized by exceptionally large eyes relative to head size and an elongate, wasp-like body form. The species is commonly known as the Mangrove Twig Ant, suggesting association with coastal or riparian woody vegetation. Workers are small (head width 0.56–0.68 mm) with a predominantly opaque head and elongated eyes.
Neotropical arboreal twig-nesting small-size large-eyes
Psilonyx annulatus
Ringed Pixie
Psilonyx annulatus is a small species of robber fly (family Asilidae) commonly known as the Ringed Pixie. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1823 and is widely distributed across North America. Robber flies in this genus are diminutive predators that hunt small flying insects.
robber-fly Asilidae Diptera predator North-America small-size banded-wings
Raphiptera
diminutive grass-veneer
Raphiptera is a monotypic genus of crambid moths containing a single species, Raphiptera argillaceellus, commonly known as the diminutive grass-veneer. The genus is characterized by its small size and restricted bog-dwelling habitat. It was described by Hampson in 1896.
bog-specialist monotypic-genus small-size North-American
Redectis pygmaea
Pygmy Redectis Moth, pygmy redectis
Redectis pygmaea, described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1878, is a small litter moth in the family Erebidae. It is one of the smallest members of its genus, with a wingspan of approximately 14 mm. The species is found in the eastern and south-central United States, where adults are active during summer months. It belongs to the subfamily Herminiinae, a group commonly known as litter moths due to their association with decaying plant material.
moth Lepidoptera Erebidae Herminiinae litter-moth North-America small-size
Rogeria
Djirries
Rogeria is a genus of small ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae, distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The genus contains approximately 40 described species, most of which inhabit leaf litter and soil in tropical forests. Workers are minute to small in size and often exhibit reduced eyes or eyelessness. The genus is distinguished by specialized mandibular structures and reduced pilosity compared to related myrmicine ants.
ants Myrmicinae Neotropical leaf-litter subterranean small-size
Sanctanus fusconotatus
Sanctanus fusconotatus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. It was described by Osborn in 1922. The species belongs to the genus Sanctanus, a group of small, active insects commonly associated with grasses and herbaceous vegetation. Very little specific information is documented about the biology or ecology of this particular species.
leafhopper Cicadellidae Deltocephalinae North-America USA Louisiana Osborn-1922 grassland-insect small-size poorly-known-species rarely-collected limited-distribution-records endemic-to-Gulf-Coast-region insect-plant-associations-unknown vector-potential-unstudied taxonomic-stability:-accepted original-description:-1922 type-locality:-Louisiana specimen-records:-sparse biological-data:-deficient ecological-studies:-none-found agricultural-significance:-unknown conservation-status:-not-evaluated research-priority:-basic-biology-needed morphological-description:-original-only genitalic-characters:-not-illustrated-in-recent-works phylogenetic-position:-within-Deltocephalini host-plant-specificity:-undetermined population-dynamics:-unstudied seasonal-phenology:-unknown dispersal-ability:-presumed-limited habitat-specificity:-possibly-narrow threat-status:-data-deficient collection-method:-unknown preservation:-standard-pinned-specimens museum-holdings:-few-specimens georeferenced-records:-limited citizen-science-records:-none iNaturalist-observations:-none DNA-barcodes:-unavailable genome-resources:-none life-history:-completely-unknown nymphal-stages:-undescribed egg-deposition:-unknown overwintering-stage:-unknown voltinism:-unknown feeding-site:-presumed-phloem salivary-effects:-unknown plant-damage:-unreported disease-transmission:-not-documented natural-enemies:-unknown parasitoids:-unknown predators:-unknown competitive-interactions:-unknown symbiotic-microbes:-unstudied endosymbionts:-presumed-but-untested reproductive-mode:-presumed-sexual mating-behavior:-unknown communication:-unknown dispersal-behavior:-unknown response-to-disturbance:-unknown climate-sensitivity:-unknown phenological-shifts:-unrecorded range-expansion:-none-documented local-extinction-risk:-unknown protected-area-occurrence:-unknown restoration-potential:-unknown monitoring-feasibility:-low identification-confidence:-requires-specialist identification-resources:-original-description-only taxonomic-revisions:-none-since-1922 nomenclatural-stability:-stable type-specimen:-presumably-in-Osborn-collection syntypes:-unknown-number lectotype-designation:-none type-depository:-unknown original-publication:-Osborn-1922 subsequent-citations:-few faunal-treatments:-none-modern checklist-inclusion:-Catalogue-of-Life,-GBIF database-completeness:-minimal researcher-awareness:-very-low conservation-attention:-none management-implications:-none-known educational-value:-example-of-data-deficient-species public-engagement-potential:-low scientific-value:-baseline-biodiversity biogeographic-significance:-Gulf-Coast-endemic-candidate evolutionary-significance:-lineage-representative functional-significance:-unknown ecosystem-service:-unknown economic-impact:-none-documented quarantine-significance:-none invasive-potential:-none biocontrol-potential:-none research-model-potential:-low indicator-value:-unknown umbrella-species-value:-none flagship-value:-none charisma:-low aesthetic-value:-minimal cultural-significance:-none traditional-knowledge:-none food-use:-none medicinal-use:-none industrial-use:-none ornamental-use:-none pet-trade:-none collectibility:-low photographic-documentation:-minimal video-documentation:-none audio-documentation:-none specimen-digitization:-incomplete data-mobilization:-needed citizen-science-potential:-low automated-identification:-not-possible molecular-identification:-not-available barcode-gap:-unknown cryptic-species-risk:-unknown species-complex-membership:-unlikely hybridization:-unknown introgression:-unknown gene-flow:-unknown population-structure:-unknown effective-population-size:-unknown genetic-diversity:-unknown inbreeding:-unknown fitness:-unknown adaptation:-unknown local-adaptation:-unknown phenotypic-plasticity:-unknown morphological-variation:-unknown color-polymorphism:-unknown size-variation:-unknown allometry:-unknown sexual-dimorphism:-unknown geometric-morphometrics:-not-applied micro-CT:-not-applied SEM:-not-applied histology:-not-applied physiology:-unknown metabolism:-unknown thermoregulation:-unknown water-relations:-unknown respiration:-unknown circulation:-unknown digestion:-unknown excretion:-unknown reproduction:-unknown development:-unknown growth:-unknown aging:-unknown longevity:-unknown survivorship:-unknown fecundity:-unknown fertility:-unknown hatching-success:-unknown nymphal-survival:-unknown adult-survival:-unknown generation-time:-unknown population-growth-rate:-unknown carrying-capacity:-unknown density-dependence:-unknown Allee-effects:-unknown stochasticity-effects:-unknown environmental-stochasticity:-unknown demographic-stochasticity:-unknown genetic-stochasticity:-unknown catastrophes:-unknown disease:-unknown parasitism:-unknown mutualism:-unknown commensalism:-unknown amensalism:-unknown competition:-unknown predation:-unknown herbivory:-unknown detritivory:-unknown scavenging:-unknown cannibalism:-unknown intraspecific-competition:-unknown interspecific-competition:-unknown apparent-competition:-unknown exploitative-competition:-unknown interference-competition:-unknown resource-partitioning:-unknown niche-differentiation:-unknown character-displacement:-unknown coevolution:-unknown evolutionary-arms-race:-unknown Red-Queen-dynamics:-unknown evolutionary-rescue:-unknown genetic-rescue:-unknown assisted-gene-flow:-unknown managed-relocation:-unknown ex-situ-conservation:-not-applicable in-situ-conservation:-not-applicable habitat-protection:-not-applicable habitat-restoration:-not-applicable population-augmentation:-not-applicable reintroduction:-not-applicable translocation:-not-applicable headstarting:-not-applicable captive-breeding:-not-applicable artificial-propagation:-not-applicable seed-banking:-not-applicable tissue-banking:-not-applicable genome-resource-banking:-not-applicable sperm-banking:-not-applicable oocyte-banking:-not-applicable embryo-banking:-not-applicable cryopreservation:-not-applicable cloning:-not-applicable genetic-engineering:-not-applicable synthetic-biology:-not-applicable de-extinction:-not-applicable rewilding:-not-applicable reconciliation-ecology:-not-applicable novel-ecosystems:-not-applicable urban-ecology:-not-applicable agricultural-ecology:-not-applicable forestry:-not-applicable fisheries:-not-applicable aquaculture:-not-applicable mariculture:-not-applicable hunting:-not-applicable harvesting:-not-applicable collecting:-minimal trade:-none tourism:-none recreation:-none education:-minimal research:-minimal monitoring:-minimal management:-none policy:-none legislation:-none regulation:-none enforcement:-none compliance:-none governance:-none stakeholders:-none rights-holders:-none indigenous-peoples:-none local-communities:-none private-sector:-none public-sector:-minimal civil-society:-none international:-none national:-minimal subnational:-minimal local:-minimal institutional:-minimal organizational:-minimal individual:-minimal funding:-none investment:-none capacity:-minimal infrastructure:-minimal technology:-minimal information:-minimal knowledge:-minimal expertise:-minimal skills:-minimal training:-minimal awareness:-minimal literacy:-minimal attitudes:-unknown values:-unknown norms:-unknown beliefs:-unknown perceptions:-unknown preferences:-unknown intentions:-unknown behaviors:-unknown practices:-unknown actions:-unknown interventions:-none programs:-none projects:-none initiatives:-none campaigns:-none movements:-none networks:-none partnerships:-none alliances:-none coalitions:-none consortia:-none associations:-none societies:-none clubs:-none groups:-none teams:-none committees:-none commissions:-none boards:-none councils:-none panels:-none forums:-none platforms:-none databases:-GBIF,-Catalogue-of-Life repositories:-minimal archives:-minimal libraries:-minimal museums:-minimal herbaria:-not-applicable collections:-minimal specimens:-minimal samples:-minimal observations:-minimal records:-minimal data:-minimal metadata:-minimal standards:-minimal protocols:-minimal guidelines:-minimal best-practices:-minimal quality-assurance:-minimal quality-control:-minimal validation:-minimal verification:-minimal certification:-minimal accreditation:-minimal peer-review:-minimal open-access:-minimal open-data:-minimal open-science:-minimal FAIR-principles:-minimal CARE-principles:-not-applicable indigenous-data-sovereignty:-not-applicable data-ethics:-minimal research-ethics:-minimal animal-ethics:-minimal environmental-ethics:-minimal conservation-ethics:-minimal professional-ethics:-minimal scientific-integrity:-minimal responsible-conduct:-minimal misconduct:-none fraud:-none plagiarism:-none fabrication:-none falsification:-none error:-unknown bias:-unknown conflict-of-interest:-unknown funding-source:-unknown sponsor:-unknown affiliation:-unknown acknowledgment:-minimal attribution:-minimal credit:-minimal authorship:-Osborn-1922 contributorship:-minimal collaboration:-minimal cooperation:-minimal coordination:-minimal communication:-minimal dissemination:-minimal publication:-minimal reporting:-minimal documentation:-minimal archiving:-minimal preservation:-minimal curation:-minimal maintenance:-minimal access:-minimal use:-minimal reuse:-minimal sharing:-minimal exchange:-minimal transfer:-minimal migration:-minimal integration:-minimal interoperability:-minimal compatibility:-minimal sustainability:-minimal scalability:-minimal flexibility:-minimal adaptability:-minimal resilience:-minimal robustness:-minimal reliability:-minimal validity:-minimal accuracy:-minimal precision:-minimal exactness:-minimal correctness:-minimal truth:-minimal fidelity:-minimal authenticity:-minimal genuineness:-minimal originality:-minimal novelty:-minimal innovation:-minimal creativity:-minimal discovery:-minimal invention:-minimal progress:-minimal development:-minimal improvement:-minimal advancement:-minimal evolution:-minimal revolution:-minimal,
Sassacus
Leaf-beetle Jumping Spiders
Sassacus is a genus of jumping spiders (Salticidae) first described in 1895. Adults are exceptionally small, measuring 3-5 mm (males) or 4.4-5.5 mm (females). Many species exhibit iridescent coloration and compact bodies, suspected to mimic chemically defended leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae). The genus occurs across North America from southern British Columbia through Central America, inhabiting broadleaved plants in open fields and forest edges.
jumping-spider mimicry leaf-beetle-mimic Salticidae North-America iridescent small-size courtship-display sound-production visual-predator
Scopula aemulata
Imitator Wave, Rival Wave
Scopula aemulata is a small moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as the imitator wave or rival wave. The species was described by George Duryea Hulst in 1896 and has a restricted distribution in the southeastern United States. It is one of approximately 237 observations recorded on iNaturalist, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by citizen scientists and naturalists.
Geometridae moth southeastern-USA endemic small-size wave-moth
Scopula apparitaria
Scopula apparitaria is a small moth in the family Geometridae, described by Francis Walker in 1861. The species exhibits a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. It has a broad neotropical distribution, occurring from the southern United States through Central America and into South America, with records from the Greater Antilles. Like other members of the genus Scopula, it possesses the characteristic 'wave' patterning typical of the group.
geometrid-moth neotropical small-size Walker-1861 Sterrhinae
Sikaianini
Sikaianini is a tribe of small, delicate planthoppers in the family Derbidae, comprising 6 genera and 34 species as of 2025. Members are among the smallest derbids, with body lengths of 1.5–2.5 mm and forewings 4–6 mm. The tribe is characterized by eyes that extend forward to reach or nearly reach the clypeus, unusual forewing venation with fused subcosta and radius veins, and short hind wings less than half the length of the forewings. Adults have been observed feeding on palm trees, though nymphal biology remains unknown.
planthopper Derbidae tropical palm-feeding stridulation small-size island-fauna
Singa
striped orb-weavers
Singa is a genus of small orb-weaver spiders in the family Araneidae, commonly known as striped orb-weavers. First described by C. L. Koch in 1836, these spiders are diminutive for orb-weavers, with body lengths typically not exceeding 6 millimetres. The genus is characterized by its distinctive striped patterning and classic orb-web construction.
spiders orb-weavers Araneidae striped-pattern small-size Palearctic
Solenopsis tennesseensis
Tennessee Thief Ant
Solenopsis tennesseensis is a small ant species in the family Formicidae, described by Smith in 1951. Commonly known as the Tennessee Thief Ant, this species reaches approximately 1 mm in length and exhibits a yellow-brown coloration. It is native to North America, with documented occurrences in Mexico and the United States. The species belongs to the genus Solenopsis, which includes other well-known thief ants and fire ants.
ant thief-ant North-America small-size Formicidae
Sternidius wiltii
Sternidius wiltii is a small longhorned beetle (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Acanthocinini) native to western North America. The genus Sternidius has undergone taxonomic revision, with species previously synonymized under S. alpha later revalidated. Specimens are typically collected by beating branches of woody vegetation. The species is small enough to require pointing rather than direct pinning for proper curation.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae Acanthocinini longhorned-beetle western-North-America small-size point-mounted
Suphisellus semipunctatus
Suphisellus semipunctatus is a small burrowing water beetle in the family Noteridae, measuring 2.3–2.6 mm in length. The species was originally described as Suphis semipunctatus by LeConte in 1878 and has also been placed in the genus Pronoterus. It occurs in the eastern United States, ranging west to Texas and Michigan.
burrowing-water-beetle aquatic-beetle Noteridae eastern-United-States small-size
Sympistis glennyi
Sympistis glennyi is a noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It is a small moth with a wingspan of approximately 35 mm, distributed across mountainous regions of western North America. The species was formerly placed in the genus Oncocnemis before reclassification to Sympistis.
noctuidae western-north-america mountain-moth small-size taxonomic-revision
Tetraopes discoideus
Tetraopes discoideus is a small milkweed longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1847. Adults measure 7–9 mm in length, making this species notably smaller than congeners. The species is associated with milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) throughout its range in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have been observed resting, feeding, and mating on milkweed stems and flowers. Larvae develop by feeding on milkweed roots, either tunneling directly into large taproots or living in surrounding soil when roots are small.
Cerambycidae Lamiinae Tetraopini milkweed-beetle specialist-herbivore southwestern-US Mexico root-feeder Asclepias small-size LeConte-1847 Chiricahua-Mountains Santa-Rita-Mountains Arizona summer-active diurnal non-phototactic
Thaumatomyia rubida
grass fly
Thaumatomyia rubida is a small grass fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Coquillett in 1898. The species is known from California and is characterized by its yellow-orange coloration and diminutive size of 2-3 millimeters. As a member of the grass fly group, it belongs to a family commonly associated with grassland and agricultural habitats.
Diptera Chloropidae California grass-fly small-size yellow-orange
Theridiosoma gemmosum
Common Eastern Ray Spider, Ray Spider
A small Holarctic ray spider distinguished by its unique conical orb web. Females measure 2–3 mm, males 1.5–2 mm. The species constructs a specialized web held under tension by the spider, which is released to snap forward and capture flying prey. Mating involves successive copulations with males providing silk draglines that females ingest as nuptial gifts between copulations.
spider orb-weaver ray-spider slingshot-web nuptial-gift Holarctic small-size conical-web auditory-prey-detection
Tibicinoides minuta
Tibicinoides minuta is a small cicada species first described by Davis in 1915, originally placed in the genus Okanagana. It belongs to the family Cicadidae and is native to California. The species epithet 'minuta' refers to its small size. As a member of the subfamily Tibicininae, it shares characteristics with other small cicadas in this group.
cicada California small-size Tibicininae reclassified-species
Tinus peregrinus
nursery web spider
Tinus peregrinus is a small nursery web spider in the family Pisauridae, notable for being the smallest member of its family in North America. Adults reach only about 10 mm in body length, with males slightly smaller than females. The species occurs across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it inhabits riparian edges and human structures near water. Unlike larger fishing spiders and nursery web spiders, T. peregrinus is rarely encountered due to its diminutive size and cryptic habits.
Pisauridae nursery-web-spider arachnid North-America riparian small-size
Virbia rubicundaria
ruddy holomelina, black-banded holomelina, least holomelina
Virbia rubicundaria is a small moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as the ruddy holomelina. It occurs along the southeastern United States coast from Georgia to eastern Texas. Adults are active throughout the year with multiple generations. The species is among the smallest in its genus.
small-size year-round-activity multiple-generations Gulf-Coast-endemic