Shireplitis facts for kids

Shireplitis is a special group of tiny wasps found only in New Zealand. These wasps are quite small, usually between 1.8 and 2.4 millimeters long. That's about the size of a small ant! Most of the six known types of Shireplitis wasps live on New Zealand's South Island. Only one type lives on the North Island.

What makes these wasps extra cool is their name! The name Shireplitis comes from the "Shire", which is the fictional home of the hobbits in the famous books by J. R. R. Tolkien. In fact, five of the six species are named after hobbits, and one is even named after Tolkien himself!

What They Look Like

Shireplitis wasps are usually brown or black in color. As mentioned, they are very small, measuring from 1.8 to 2.4 millimeters long. They have unique front wings that are noticeably narrow.

These wasps are part of a larger group called Microgastrinae. Shireplitis wasps are different from their relatives in a few ways. They have legs that are shorter and thicker. The female wasps also have shorter parts on their antennae. Another difference is how their first body segment (called the propodeum) looks. It has special patterns or "sculpting" on it. Their ninth body segment, called the hypopygium, also has a unique shape.

Types of Shireplitis Wasps

There are six known types, or species, of Shireplitis wasps. Each one has a name connected to J. R. R. Tolkien's famous stories:

• Shireplitis bilboi: This species is named after Bilbo Baggins. You can find it on the South Island.
• Shireplitis frodoi: Named after Frodo Baggins, this wasp also lives on the South Island.
• Shireplitis meriadoci: This one is named after Meriadoc Brandybuck. It lives on the South Island.
• Shireplitis peregrini: Named after Peregrin Took, this species is found on the South Island.
• Shireplitis samwisei: This wasp is named after Samwise Gamgee. It is the only species found on the North Island.
• Shireplitis tolkieni: This species is named after the author J. R. R. Tolkien himself. It lives on the South Island.