Spotted Springtail vs Globular Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spotted Springtail Globular Springtail
Scientific Name Orchesella cincta Sminthurus viridis
Order Collembola Collembola
Family Entomobryidae Sminthuridae
Size 3.0-5.0 mm 1-2.5 mm
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Detritivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, Australia, North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Spotted Springtail

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

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Did You Know?

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

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.