Dicyrtomina Springtail vs Vegetable Caterpillar
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dicyrtomina Springtail | Vegetable Caterpillar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dicyrtomina minuta | Ophiocordyceps robertsii |
| Order | Collembola | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Dicyrtomidae | Hepialidae |
| Size | 1.5-2.5 mm | 50-100 mm (caterpillar plus fungal stalk) |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Detritivores | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Dicyrtomina Springtail
A beautifully patterned globular springtail found in leaf litter across Europe. It has a marbled brown and yellow appearance.
Did You Know?
Under magnification, this springtail reveals intricate mosaic patterns that make it one of the most beautiful soil animals.
Vegetable Caterpillar
The host of this relationship is the caterpillar of the native moth Aenetus virescens, parasitized by the endemic Cordyceps fungus. The fungus invades and mummifies the caterpillar underground, then sends a fruiting body to the surface. It was known to Maori as awhato.
Did You Know?
Maori prized the vegetable caterpillar as a pigment source, grinding the fungus-caterpillar combination to produce a blue-black tattoo ink.