Globular Springtail vs Dock Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Globular Springtail Dock Sawfly
Scientific Name Sminthurus viridis Ametastegia glabrata
Order Collembola Hymenoptera
Family Sminthuridae Tenthredinidae
Size 1-2.5 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Australia, North America Europe, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Globular Springtail

A round-bodied green springtail found in grasslands and agricultural fields. It can become a pest of clover and alfalfa crops.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few springtails that feeds on living plants and can damage crops.

Dock Sawfly

A small, shiny dark green to black sawfly with pale legs. Larvae are pale green caterpillar-like grubs that feed on dock and sorrel leaves.

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Did You Know?

In North America, dock sawfly larvae sometimes bore into apples to pupate, making them a nuisance pest in orchards despite not actually feeding on the fruit.