Giant Cave Springtail vs Garden Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Cave Springtail Garden Springtail
Scientific Name Tomocerus minor Bourletiella hortensis
Order Collembola Collembola
Family Tomoceridae Bourletiellidae
Size 3-4.5 mm 1-1.5 mm
Habitat Caves Gardens
Diet Wood Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

It can jump up to 100 times its body length using its spring-loaded furca.

Garden Springtail

A globular springtail commonly found in gardens and agricultural fields. It has a distinctive dark body with yellow markings.

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Did You Know?

It can occasionally damage seedlings by feeding on young plant tissue.