Euryplatea nanaknihali facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Euryplatea nanaknihali |
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Euryplatea
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E. nanaknihali
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| Euryplatea nanaknihali Brown, 2012
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Euryplatea nanaknihali is an amazing tiny insect. It holds the record for being the world's smallest fly. This incredible creature measures less than half a millimeter!
Scientists first discovered this fly in Thailand. It has a very unique way of growing up. The young flies, called larvae, live inside the heads of small ants.
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Meet the World's Smallest Fly: Euryplatea nanaknihali
Imagine a fly so small it's hard to see without a magnifying glass! That's Euryplatea nanaknihali. It is the tiniest fly known to science. This little insect is only about 0.4 millimeters long. That's shorter than the tip of a sharpened pencil!
This amazing fly was first found in 2012. It was discovered in the beautiful national parks of Thailand. Its discovery showed scientists just how much more there is to learn about the insect world.
A Tiny Wonder: What Makes It Special?
Being so incredibly small comes with big challenges. For Euryplatea nanaknihali, even the air around it feels thick. This is because of something called viscosity. Think of how thick honey feels compared to water. Air feels a bit like honey to this tiny fly.
This means that small air currents can be like strong winds to it. Despite these challenges, this fly has all the complex organs of a normal insect. Scientists are still amazed that such a tiny body can hold everything it needs to live.
The Euryplatea nanaknihali Life Cycle: A Surprising Host
The life of Euryplatea nanaknihali is truly fascinating. Adult female flies look for a special place to lay their eggs. They choose the heads of small Crematogaster ants. These ants become the "hosts" for the fly's young.
Once an egg hatches, a tiny larva emerges. This larva lives and grows inside the ant's head. It feeds on the nutrients there. This helps the larva develop safely.
After growing enough, the larva changes into a pupa. This happens while it is still inside the ant's head. The ant's hard outer shell, called an exoskeleton, protects the pupa. Finally, a new adult fly emerges from the ant's head. It then flies off to start its own life cycle.
Where Does This Tiny Fly Live?
Euryplatea nanaknihali makes its home in the lush forests of Thailand. It has been found in several of Thailand's national parks. These parks are important places. They protect many different kinds of plants and animals.
The fly's name has a special story too! It was named after a boy named Nanak Nihal Weiss. He loved insects and often visited the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County with his father. It's a great reminder that anyone can inspire scientific discoveries!
