Ouessant

Ouessant

The Ouessant is a tiny insect that loves to buzz around flowers. It has beautiful colors and helps plants grow by spreading pollen. These little creatures are important for nature!

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The Ouessant is a minuscule, stocky insect, typically clad in dense, dark brown and golden fuzz that gives it a velvety appearance. Its compact body and proportionally large, iridescent wings shimmer with faint blue hues, setting it apart from common flies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassMalacostracaOrderAmphipodaFamilyNiphargidaeGenusNiphargus
Ouessant
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Ouessant

Category

Invertebrate

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

An Ouessant's wings beat so fast, they become a blur to our eyes!

Despite their size, Ouessants can fly backwards for short distances!

They use tiny hairs on their bodies to taste the sweetness of nectar!

This tiny insect can visit hundreds of flowers in a single day!

Special abilities

Ability

Tiny Escape Artist

Ouessant has a remarkably small, flattened body that helps them squeeze into tight crevices to evade predators.

Ability

Pollen Packer Legs

Ouessant can collect vast amounts of pollen on specialized bristles on its hind legs, essential for feeding its young.

Ability

Vibration Navigator

Ouessant can sense subtle ground vibrations through its legs, helping them detect approaching dangers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
5-10 mm
Size
3-6 mm
Lifespan
20-40 days
Flight Speed
8 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

This tiny insect sips nectar from flowers for energy and gathers pollen to feed its young.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Wildflower sap

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Creeping Thistle

Cirsium arvense

Vital for spreading seeds of this common wildflower.

depends on

Western Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Competes for nectar but shares a vital ecosystem.

eaten by

Flower Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

A common predator camouflaged among flower petals.

pollinates

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Helps propagate the widespread and resilient dandelion.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and watch where you step to protect little insects like the Ouessant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ouessant's wingspan?

5-10 mm

How big is Ouessant?

3-6 mm

How long does Ouessant live?

20-40 days

How fast can Ouessant fly?

8 km/h

What does Ouessant eat?

This tiny insect sips nectar from flowers for energy and gathers pollen to feed its young.

Where is Ouessant usually found?

Gardens

How does Ouessant hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Ouessant have?

6

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

More Invertebrate