Milnesium burgessi nov. sp. is a new species of tardigrade described from the canopy of eastern Kansas, USA. This unique tardigrade of class Eutardigrada, order Apochela and family Milnesiidae is characterized by its smooth cuticle, six peribuccal lamellae, long primary branch of the claws with accessory points, a claw configuration of [3-3]-[3-3] and a buccal tube that is significantly shorter than other species.