Alpine Cave Springtail vs Neotropical Backswimmer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alpine Cave Springtail | Neotropical Backswimmer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onychiuroides alpinus | Buenoa antigone |
| Order | Collembola | Hemiptera |
| Family | Onychiuridae | Notonectidae |
| Size | 0.8-1.2 mm | 5-9 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Italy | Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Alpine Cave Springtail
A recently described blind springtail from caves in the Italian Alps. It lacks eyes, pigment, and a jumping furca.
Did You Know?
It survives in caves where temperatures remain just a few degrees above freezing.
Neotropical Backswimmer
A small aquatic bug that swims upside-down using its long oar-like hind legs. Its pale ventral surface provides camouflage when viewed from below against the sky.
Did You Know?
It carries a silvery air bubble on its belly that functions like a physical gill, extracting dissolved oxygen from the water.