Seashore Springtail vs Spotted Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Seashore Springtail Spotted Springtail
Scientific Name Anurida maritima Orchesella cincta
Order Collembola Collembola
Family Neanuridae Entomobryidae
Size 2-3 mm 3.0-5.0 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Forests
Diet Omnivores Detritivores
Regions Europe, North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Seashore Springtail

A dark blue-black springtail found in dense clusters on rocky seashores at low tide. It survives tidal submersion by trapping air in its body hairs.

💡

Did You Know?

It can survive being submerged by the tide for hours by breathing trapped air bubbles.

Spotted Springtail

A large banded springtail found in leaf litter and under bark in European forests. It has distinctive dark and yellow banding.

💡

Did You Know?

This is the first springtail species to have its metallothionein genes fully characterized for pollution biomonitoring.