Kikiki Explained

Kikiki is a genus of fairyfly wasps containing a single species, Kikiki huna, known from Hawaii, Costa Rica, Nagarcoil and Trinidad. At 0.15mm (150 μm), it is the smallest flying insect known . It is a close relative of wasps in the genus Tinkerbella.^{[1] [2]} It was discovered in the Hawaiian Islands by John T. Huber and John W. Beardsley, and published in 2000. The name Kikiki huna consists of two Hawaiian words that both carry the meaning 'tiny bit'.^[2]

See also

• Dicopomorpha echmepterygis - The smallest known insect.
• Smallest organisms

Notes and References

1. Huber. John T.. Noyes . John S. . John Noyes (entomologist) . 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. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 2013. 32. 17–44. 10.3897/jhr.32.4663. free.
2. Huber, John T. . Beardsley, John W. . 2000. A New Genus of Fairyfly, Kikiki, from the Hawaiian Islands (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Proc. Hawaiian Entomol. Soc.. 34. 65 - 70.