Glacier Springtail vs South American Grain Stem Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Glacier Springtail South American Grain Stem Sawfly
Scientific Name Isotoma saltans Cephus fumipennis
Order Collembola Hymenoptera
Family Isotomidae Cephidae
Size 1-3 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Mountains Farmland
Diet Seed Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Scandinavia, Alps, Arctic Russia, Greenland, Svalbard Europe, Central Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Glacier Springtail

A tiny, elongate springtail adapted to life on glaciers and permanent snowfields. It is dark-pigmented to absorb solar radiation. Populations can be found actively hopping on glacier surfaces in summer.

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Did You Know?

This springtail can survive being encased in ice and resume activity once temperatures rise above freezing.

South American Grain Stem Sawfly

A slender black stem sawfly with smoky wings and yellow abdominal bands. It attacks cereal grain stems in parts of Europe and Asia.

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Did You Know?

Like other cephid stem borers, the larva constructs a silken cocoon inside the hollowed-out stem base where it overwinters before pupating in spring.