Arctic Springtail vs Malagasy Flatwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Springtail | Malagasy Flatwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megaphorura arctica | Platycnemis malgassica |
| Order | Collembola | Odonata |
| Family | Onychiuridae | Platycnemididae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 32-40 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Svalbard, Arctic Canada, Greenland, northern Scandinavia | Madagascar |
| 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.
Malagasy Flatwing
A slender damselfly with expanded white tibiae on the middle and hind legs, used in courtship displays. Males have a pale blue body with dark dorsal markings.
Did You Know?
Males wave their flattened white legs during courtship flights to attract females, creating a flickering visual display.