Arctic Springtail vs Tropical Springtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Springtail | Tropical Springtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megaphorura arctica | Seira domestica |
| Order | Collembola | Collembola |
| Family | Onychiuridae | Entomobryidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 2.0-3.0 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Svalbard, Arctic Canada, Greenland, northern Scandinavia | Africa, South America, Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Tropical Springtail
A large elongate springtail found in tropical regions and greenhouses. It has distinctive dark and pale banding patterns.
Did You Know?
This springtail is frequently imported into temperate countries hidden in potted tropical plants.