Cottony Cushion Scale vs Giant Cave Springtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cottony Cushion Scale | Giant Cave Springtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Icerya purchasi | Tomocerus minor |
| Order | Hemiptera | Collembola |
| Family | Monophlebidae | Tomoceridae |
| Size | 5-8 mm including egg sac | 3-4.5 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Caves |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Originally Australia, now cosmopolitan | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cottony Cushion Scale
A scale insect with a distinctive white fluted egg sac that devastated California's citrus industry in the 1880s. Its control by vedalia beetles was the first major success of biological pest control.
Did You Know?
The introduction of vedalia ladybirds to control it in 1889 saved the California citrus industry from collapse.
Giant Cave Springtail
One of the larger springtails in Europe, often found in caves and damp cellars. It has a distinctive metallic sheen on its body.
Did You Know?
It can jump up to 100 times its body length using its spring-loaded furca.