Giant Cave Springtail vs Blue Horntail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Cave Springtail Blue Horntail
Scientific Name Tomocerus minor Sirex juvencus
Order Collembola Hymenoptera
Family Tomoceridae Siricidae
Size 3-4.5 mm 12–30 mm
Habitat Caves Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

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.

Blue Horntail

A metallic blue-black horntail wasp found across the Northern Hemisphere. It breeds in recently dead or dying spruce and fir trees.

💡

Did You Know?

Adults sometimes emerge from milled lumber years later, boring clean round exit holes through flooring or walls.