Giant Cave Springtail vs Malagasy Blue Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Cave Springtail Malagasy Blue Butterfly
Scientific Name Tomocerus minor Leptomyrina phidias
Order Collembola Lepidoptera
Family Tomoceridae Lycaenidae
Size 3-4.5 mm 25-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Caves Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe Madagascar
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.

💡

Did You Know?

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

Malagasy Blue Butterfly

A small butterfly with brilliant blue upperwings in males and more subdued brown in females. The underwing surface has fine dark streaks on a silvery white background.

💡

Did You Know?

The caterpillars are unusual among lycaenids in feeding on lichens rather than the more typical ants or plant tissue.