What is the smallest insect. What small insects can be found in an apartment. The damage caused by these insects

The most small insect in the world May 19th, 2013

Dicopomorpha echmepterygis- This is a species of the world's smallest insects. Discovered in 1997 (Mockford, 1997) in Central America (Costa Rica). Males of this species reach only 0.139 millimeters in length, smaller in size than the single-celled slipper ciliates that can be found in lake water. Feeds this type larvae of other insects.

Previously, the record belonged to the species Megaphragma caribea (Trichogrammatidae), with a length of 0.170 mm (Delvare 1993).

Three stages of miniaturization:

No no, that's not it, it's just cool :-)

The first with preservation of vital functions. The second with the loss of one of the functions. In many species of the family Mymaridae, the larvae lack movement, vision or smell. The third stage is loss of function at all stages of life. This same male at 139 microns, the smallest insect on earth, is deprived of flight, nutrition, and vision.

In close births it doesn’t come to this, they lose something, but not quite like that. They reduce as best they can: the number of ommatidia in the eyes, segments on the antennae, on the maxillary palps, veins on the wing, and, of course, the number of abdominal segments. Fusion of nerve ganglia in the abdomen.

And here it is - Dicopomorpha echmepterygis

This is the male. Lost wings and stuff. On the legs, the segments of the tarsus merge with the tibia. The size of neurons in the body of these riders is 1-4 microns, which is smaller than in other insects. That is, the insect itself is small, and the neurons in it are small. The same is true for the smallest beetles (250 microns) and small four-legged mites
When the relative size of the NS is larger than that of other insects. We can conclude: the factor limiting further reduction in size is the size of the nervous system - limited by the size of neurons. The neurons became almost the size of their own nucleus, but no smaller.

What is the general history of this issue?

For a long time it was believed that the smallest insect on Earth is the feather beetle, whose size is about 0.3 mm. But more recently, even tinier insects have been discovered. They turned out to be insects from the wasp family. We know ordinary striped wasps very well and we don’t want to meet them in life, let’s talk about miniature wasps; there are none on our territory (thank God).

beetle

Megaphragma mymaripenne Timberlake

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It turned out that in the imago of Megaphragm Mimar, the decrease in body size led to significant rearrangements in nervous system(and more). Firstly, the number of cells from which it is built is only 7400, and secondly, these cells have lost their nuclei! In principle, this phenomenon is not uncommon in nature, for example, blood cells - erythrocytes - in humans have also lost their nuclei, which helps them better capture and transport oxygen, but due to this, their life span is very, very short.

Obviously, Megaphragm also pays for his lifestyle and anatomical changes with the duration of his life - only 5 days!!!, although this time for such a miniature creature stretches infinitely long...

Wasp megaphragma

Thus, nominee number three is Mymaridae Haliday, 1833. Of these, there are real “giants” with a length of 5.4 mm and meager pygmies - 0.12 mm! For example, Dicopomorpha echmepterygis Mockford, 1997 with a length about 0.19 mm- this is longer than that of Megaphragma caribbean, however, that is, the length of females, while males are long only 0.14 mm!

Wasp wildomorpha

As a rule, several males and one female develop in an egg!!! Since the only function of the male is fertilization, his body is very simplified, which allows him to have miniscule sizes, and, accordingly, develops faster. Developed males wait for the female in the host's egg, and when she emerges from the puparia (pupa shell), the dexterous one clings to her back. In this way, the two of them travel until the male dies, and the female then looks for sinoid eggs to lay her offspring in them...

You won't believe it, but the smallest insect on our planet is the Megaphragma mymaripenne wasp. It is incredibly tiny, no more than one millimeter in size. It should be taken into account that we are talking about an adult, fully formed insect. Babies are half the size, and they can be compared with single-celled organisms, which include the well-known ciliates - the slipper and the amoeba. In this case, we can say that the size of an average insect is a third of a millimeter.

By studying the Megaphragma mymaripenne wasp, scientists found that this microscopic insect has one of the smallest nervous systems. It contains only 7400 nerve cells. The same house fly that gives us so much trouble has a nervous system of 340,000 neurons, while the honey bee has as many as 850,000.

It would seem that with such a miniature nervous system, the capabilities of an insect should be severely limited. But no, the wasp can fly, easily finds food, lays eggs and hatches. And all this in five days of life.

Our heroine's closest relatives are not much larger than her. For example, the size of the Megaphragma mymaripenne wasp is only 150 microns, and the Dicopomorpha echmepterygis wasp is even smaller. The length of its body does not exceed 130 microns. However, only females can fly. Males are completely blind and lack wings.

So far we have talked about the most small insects that inhabit our planet. They are followed by their larger representatives, the size of which does not exceed one millimeter. These include the North American featherwing. This tiny insect is no more than a quarter of a millimeter in length.

Incredibly small insects are also found among flies. For example, the body length of the fly Alaptus magnanimus is no more than 0.21 millimeters in length.

Little brown bugs that you spotted on your windowsill or kitchen cabinets– leather beetles, flour beetles or bread grinders.

Holders plastic windows V modern apartments, from time to time you may notice the sudden appearance of small brown bugs on your windowsill. This insect is somewhat reminiscent ladybug, only several times smaller. They do not pose any particular danger or harm to humans, but their appearance can cause a lot of other troubles. On a white background plastic window sill they are clearly visible, so they are difficult to miss.

Varieties

Before you take on the destruction uninvited guests, it is necessary to determine what kind of insects appeared. It may be that which feeds mainly wooden products and especially loves old furniture. It is also quite possible for a fish to appear that prefers cereals and flour. The size of the beetles is no more than 2-4 mm, and the color is brown or dark yellow.

In addition to wood, the grinder feeds on old books, which it grinds into dust and lays eggs there; later its larvae also live there. Flour eaters are slightly smaller than grinders and much more omnivorous. In addition to flour products and cereals, they also feed on books and wooden furniture.

In addition to the above-mentioned individuals, the carpet beetle can also move into an apartment. It is no longer considered as harmless as the previous ones, since it can cause a lot of harm, and is also unsafe for human health.

There are many species of carpet beetles, but not all are adapted to apartment conditions. The main varieties should be highlighted:

Carpet. It feeds mainly on dust and has brown. In everyday life, only its larvae are considered dangerous, since the adult no longer feeds on anything, but only uses up accumulated reserves.
Ham. It has an oblong body shape, black in color, with yellow antennae. It is considered the most common type.
Kozheed Smirnova. The individual is brown in color, 3 mm in diameter. It lives mainly on window sills and lamps.
Fur coat. One of the most harmful bugs among the above. It feeds mainly on food and has a black spotted color.

Bugs on the windowsill can appear at any time of the year. They enter the apartment through ventilation, an open window. Some species disappear by autumn, while others remain all year round.

Methods of disposal

You can eliminate such a problem as beetles living on the windowsill or elsewhere in the apartment without resorting to expensive chemicals. It is enough to discover the breeding ground and get rid of it.

You should move all the furniture and carefully inspect it for cracks, crevices, and rotten areas. Next, you need to go through all the books, and especially old copies. Conduct an audit of products: flour, crackers, dried fruits, etc.

Small bark beetles love sweets the most, so you should check there first.

Once an insect nest has been discovered, it should be eliminated along with spoiled food. Cereals, dried fruits, flour, etc. must be thrown away immediately. If bugs are found in furniture, then the damaged area must be properly cleaned of debris and treated special means to protect wood. It is also better to get rid of books or bake them in the sun if they are valuable.

To eliminate pests you can use chemicals, for example, boric acid, which should be rubbed into the affected areas. There are other substances sold in stores in the form of sprays, aerosols, gels, etc. The procedure should be repeated several times a month, and the treated areas should be washed a day after each manipulation.

Prevention

Any cracks or chips found on furniture must be treated and sealed. Cereals should be stored in glass or plastic or well tied plastic bags. If food is stale, it is better to get rid of it immediately so that it doesn’t end up there later. The shelves on which food is stored also need to be periodically wiped and dried.

If you find small brown insects on the windowsill or anywhere else in the apartment, you should not panic. Most likely, these are carpet beetles or borers. They do not pose a serious danger to humans, but you should get rid of them as soon as possible so that they do not cause damage to furniture, books, clothing or food.

Small brown bugs often appear in a person’s home, which can be seen in closets with clothes, in bags of groceries, as well as in carpets, upholstered furniture, under baseboards and among indoor plants. These could be anthrenuses or carpet beetles. Getting rid of these insects is not so easy, and you should not hope that they will leave your home on their own. This article talks about how to get rid of these insects and in what ways.

These bugs can be seen everywhere:

Under the baseboards.
In places where bulk products are stored.
In closets with clothes.
Behind the radiators of the heating system.
In carpets and runners.
On indoor ornamental plants.
Inside various furniture.
Close to heating appliances.
On the windowsills.
In places where smoked and dried products, including meat, are stored.
In areas where grains or peanuts are stored.
Among the waste paper.

The larvae of carpet beetles are quite tenacious compared to adult beetles. They can live without food for several weeks. In places where it is dry, including behind baseboards, in corners, and also next to back wall furniture cabinet, all conditions for normal life have been created for them. It does not penetrate into such places sunlight, thanks to which they are created comfortable conditions for these insects.

How do insects enter a person’s home?

There are many ways for such insects to enter an apartment or house. For example:

Through open doors, windows and vents, if they are not protected by anything.
With purchased or donated old books or furniture.
With used items, if they were purchased secondhand.
Inside the products if they were not stored correctly.
With grains or cereals.
With dried foods bought at the supermarket.
From attics and basements, unless special services are watching them.
With dried mushrooms or dried fruits, as well as medicinal herbs, purchased at the market.
With old carpets, also bought secondhand.

It is quite difficult to somehow prevent the appearance of these pests due to their small size. Since they are difficult to notice even upon inspection, since their brown color allows them to camouflage, they easily penetrate into a person’s home.

Types of small brown bugs with photos and names

Carpet beetles mainly appear in human homes, and anthrenuses live in old carpets. Compared to some insects, these bugs do not like excess moisture. Therefore, they are unlikely to be found in the bathroom, or in other rooms if there is high humidity in the home.

All owners should be aware of these bugs, since the insects are harmful and can cause serious damage if they are allowed to multiply indefinitely. In small quantities no serious damage can be expected.

Features of life:

The diet of carpet beetles includes various organic matter, such as fur, leather, flowers, fluff, food, feathers, etc.
The insects grow from 2 to 4 mm in length and are dark brown or black in color. The larvae are distinguished by a yellow-brown hue, as well as a rounded body with a narrowing.
The grain beetle prefers to eat nuts, peanuts, cereals, grains, bran, and any kind of flour.
The ham skin beetle penetrates meat products, as well as smoked meats and dried fish. Carpet beetles tolerate temperature changes well, so they can live in basements, attics, bird nests, etc.
The development period of the carpet beetle is from 6 to 12 months, from the laid egg to the adult beetle. The female is capable of laying up to hundreds of eggs.
Beetles choose places where the sun's rays do not penetrate, and where it is dry and dusty.

Note! These bugs are so small that many owners do not pay attention to them, much less realize how dangerous they are. If you do not immediately take measures to get rid of them, then after a while they will be everywhere in your home.

Description of insects:

They grow in length from 1 to 4 mm and are almost black, and often brown in color.
These bugs choose old carpets for their life activities.
Insects are practically omnivores, since they can feed on crumbs, particles of the epidermis, human hair, lint, organic substances, which they find on old carpets.
It is also difficult to detect the larvae of these beetles, since they hide among the fibers.
If these insects are few in number, they cannot cause serious damage. Despite this, they can cause allergies in people prone to this disease.
If there are too many bugs, then the result of their vital activity can be spoiled things.

The damage caused by these insects

Under certain conditions, carpet beetles and anthrenuses can cause significant harm. These pests chew drywall, wooden furniture, including electrical wiring. These insects can be found in any room of a person’s home.

Tiny insects can infect humans various types diseases as they move around various surfaces, sometimes dotted with pathogenic microorganisms. This is the case when talking about sanitation makes no sense at all.

How to get rid of it: effective methods

First of all, you should determine the places where these pests accumulate. Therefore, you will have to look behind the baseboards, examine the furniture in the kitchen, closets with clothes, bookshelves and other places.

Important to know! This stage requires a serious approach, because soon larvae will emerge from the eggs and then it will be much more difficult to deal with the pest.

After this, you need to decide on the means of struggle. To do this, you need to at least approximately know the degree of infection, as well as the conditions that allow the use of chemical control agents. If expectant mothers, small children, allergy sufferers or frail family members live in the apartment, then it is better to abandon such an idea.

In this case, it is better to give preference to folk remedies, although they are not as effective as chemicals. Often the situation is such that folk remedies fail to cope with the task and have to resort to the services of special services. This approach will allow you to quickly and reliably get rid of these bugs.

If you decide to fight insects on your own, then you need to be prepared for the fact that this may take more than one day and you will need to find temporary housing, since all family members will have to be evacuated from the apartment, along with pets.

The difficulty of self-processing is as follows:

It is necessary to process a large area, so it can take a lot of time, without special equipment, and only professionals have it.
You will have to check all food products, flowerpots, all drawers and all cabinets.
It is imperative to do a general cleaning, removing old, unnecessary things, and also thoroughly vacuum all places.
If you can get rid of the dusty, dark, secluded places where these insects like to hide, then the task of getting rid of them will be much easier.

How to remove bugs yourself

If you try hard, you can actually remove such insects on your own, but to do this you will have to do some work. For example:

Arm yourself with a vacuum cleaner, put a disposable bag - a dust collector, vacuum all the carpets and hard to reach places, after which it is better to take the carpets out into the sun or frost.
Boil things in soapy water.
Items made of leather or leatherette are best treated with chemicals.
Process upholstered furniture using a steam generator.
Items made of wool and artificial materials You can also take it out into the cold.
Make an audit of food supplies, reviewing everything, especially bulk food products.
Remove all items from the cabinets where they are stored, after which the cabinets should be disinfected by wiping the inside with a soapy solution.
Check wooden structures for the presence of cracks and cracks. It is better to seal all cracks and cracks with some kind of sealant.

Helpful Tips:

After preparatory operations, all cracks and crevices in the floor, baseboards, all corners and hard-to-reach places, furniture are treated with either an aerosol or a special solution. It is better not to buy universal drugs, but to select those that are designed to combat harmful bugs. Such drugs exist.
Treatment is carried out twice a week for one month. This approach allows you to get rid of bugs completely. After treatment, the floors are thoroughly washed and vacuumed.
Boric acid shows good results in the fight against insects. You can buy the powder at the pharmacy and pour it into all the cracks and cracks. It is in such places that pests hide. Each sachet can contain only 10 g of powder, so you will have to buy several of these sachets. Dignity boric acid in that it is safe for humans (non-toxic) and for domestic animals, but for many insects it is death, although not immediate. But this does not mean at all that it can be scattered anywhere without getting caught, especially if there are small children in the house. Nothing serious will happen, but diarrhea is guaranteed.

Prevention measures

Despite the very small size of carpet beetles and anthrenus beetles, fighting them takes a lot of time. But the fight may turn out to be useless if a number of measures are not taken that will protect a person’s home from their repeated invasion. That's why:

All windows must be equipped with mosquito nets.
Install fine-mesh grilles on all ventilation systems.
If a cat or dog lives at home, then you need to constantly clean up their fur, the source of food for the anthrenuses.
Get rid of old, unnecessary things in a timely manner. Even if no one wears clothes, they attract dust, and this is a favorable environment for these tiny insects.
If things are sent for storage, then before that it is better to treat them with a 0.005% solution of permin, an anti-pediculosis agent. This will protect things from the appearance of moth larvae and carpet beetles.
From time to time, all things must be taken outside (to the balcony) at any time of the year, but it is better when it is sunny and frosty in winter, and in summer, when there is real summer heat. This kills both larvae and adults. This simple procedure will help protect things from infection by many insects.
After using a vacuum cleaner, it is advisable to take the dust bags out into the cold. Particular care should be taken to vacuum carpets and rugs, as well as thick curtains, covers on chairs and sofas.
Periodically clean upholstered furniture using a steam generator, which will help get rid of small bugs hiding in the folds and seams of the upholstery material.
Use garlic or bay leaf, which can simply be placed in containers where food is stored.
In order to block the paths of entry into the home for insects, it is necessary to seal all the cracks, cracks and just holes that often occur in rooms such as the kitchen, bathroom, and even in rooms. The builders could have left them when they were making the heating, water supply, gas and sewage systems.

The appearance of any insects, especially in large numbers, in a person’s home can be considered an emergency. Every housewife should have information about what insects can appear in the apartment and know what they look like. In most cases, these are harmful and dangerous insects, since they intend to ruin everything, literally. In addition, they can infect household members with various, and sometimes very dangerous, illnesses. Therefore, if you suspect the appearance of any pests, you should immediately try to get rid of them in any available way.