Japanese Honeybee vs Dicyrtomina Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Honeybee Dicyrtomina Springtail
Scientific Name Apis cerana japonica Dicyrtomina minuta
Order Hymenoptera Collembola
Family Apidae Dicyrtomidae
Size 10-13 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Detritivores
Regions East Asia, Japan Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Japanese Honeybee

The Japanese subspecies of the Eastern honeybee, known as 'nihon-mitsubachi.' Smaller and darker than the European honeybee. Famous for its unique defensive behavior against giant hornets.

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Did You Know?

Japanese honeybees can form a thermal ball around a hornet scout, vibrating their flight muscles to raise the temperature to lethal levels for the hornet.

Dicyrtomina Springtail

A beautifully patterned globular springtail found in leaf litter across Europe. It has a marbled brown and yellow appearance.

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Did You Know?

Under magnification, this springtail reveals intricate mosaic patterns that make it one of the most beautiful soil animals.