Arctic Springtail vs Apple Caddis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Springtail | Apple Caddis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megaphorura arctica | Brachycentrus appalachia |
| Order | Collembola | Trichoptera |
| Family | Onychiuridae | Brachycentridae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Svalbard, Arctic Canada, Greenland, northern Scandinavia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Springtail
A white, eyeless springtail that lives in soil and under stones in the High Arctic. It lacks a furcula and cannot jump. It survives extreme cold through cryoprotective dehydration, losing most of its body water before freezing.
Did You Know?
This springtail can survive temperatures down to minus 30 degrees Celsius by dehydrating itself until it contains almost no free water.
Apple Caddis
A caddisfly of Appalachian streams that builds tapered square cases from plant material. Larvae orient their cases facing into the current for filter feeding.
Did You Know?
The square cross-section of the case is thought to reduce drag in fast currents.