Pyrenean Ground Beetle vs Alpine Cave Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pyrenean Ground Beetle Alpine Cave Springtail
Scientific Name Nebria lafresnayei Onychiuroides alpinus
Order Coleoptera Collembola
Family Carabidae Onychiuridae
Size 10-14 mm 0.8-1.2 mm
Habitat Mountains Caves
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Pyrenees, France, Spain Italy
Conservation Near Threatened Data Deficient

Pyrenean Ground Beetle

An endemic ground beetle restricted to high elevations in the Pyrenees. It inhabits cold, damp scree slopes and glacier remnants.

💡

Did You Know?

Genetic studies show it has been isolated in the Pyrenees since the last ice age.

Alpine Cave Springtail

A recently described blind springtail from caves in the Italian Alps. It lacks eyes, pigment, and a jumping furca.

💡

Did You Know?

It survives in caves where temperatures remain just a few degrees above freezing.