''Kikiki'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
fairyfly wasps containing a single species, ''Kikiki huna'', known from Hawaii, Costa Rica,
Nagarcoil, and Trinidad. At (150 μm), it is the smallest flying insect known . It is a close relative of wasps in the genus ''
Tinkerbella''.
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'.
''Kikiki huna'' has wings with feathery hairs attached to a stem. These structures greatly reduce the weight required for lift. The males of this species do not fly, and do not have any wings. Their wings are of interest in micro robotics.
[Hussain, Syed A., et al. "Untethered microscale flight: mechanisms and platforms for future MEMS aerial microrobotics." SPIE sensing technology+ applications, 94940F-12 (2015).]
See also
* ''
Dicopomorpha echmepterygis'' - The smallest known insect.
*
Smallest organisms The smallest organisms found on Earth can be determined according to various aspects of organism size, including volume, mass, height, length, or genome size.
Given the incomplete nature of scientific knowledge, it is possible that the smallest or ...
References
Mymaridae
Monotypic Hymenoptera genera
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