How small you can go:: Factors limiting body miniaturization in winged insects with a review of the pantropical genus Discheramocephalus and description of six new species of the smallest beetles (Pterygota: Coleoptera: Ptiliidae)

The recently described and originally monotypic genus Discheramocephalus Johnson, 2007 from the Solomon Islands is revised. Six new species are described, illustrated and keyed: Discheramocephalus brucei sp. n. (Cameroon), D. elisabethae sp. n. (Cameroon), D. mikaeli sp. n. (Tanzania), D. stewarti sp. n. (Bolivia), D. jarmilae sp. n. (Bolivia), D. minutissimus sp. n. (Indonesia). Adults of D. minutissimus have a body length of about 400 - 426 mu m, which is at the lower limit among non-egg-parasitoid insects. Evidence is provided that an egg size large enough to produce a viable larva is the main factor limiting miniaturisation of female insects. Females and males of egg-parasitoids are able to overcome the 400 mu m threshold and reach limits of 180 mu m and 130 mu m, respectively. Brain size is likely the second most important factor limiting miniaturisation in insects.