Snow Flea vs Small Poplar Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snow Flea | Small Poplar Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Glaciopsyllus antarcticus | Saperda populnea |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Cerambycidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 9-15 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Oceania | Europe, Siberia, Japan, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Snow Flea
A flea that parasitizes petrels and survives Antarctic conditions year-round.
Did You Know?
It is the southernmost known flea, enduring temperatures far below freezing.
Small Poplar Borer
A smaller relative of S. carcharias with yellowish-green pubescence and a row of spots along the elytral suture. It attacks young aspens and poplars, causing characteristic gall-like swellings on branches. Widely distributed across the Holarctic region.
Did You Know?
The gall-like swellings caused by larvae are sometimes mistaken for plant galls caused by wasps or mites.