Spotted Springtail vs Water Springtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spotted Springtail | Water Springtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orchesella cincta | Podura aquatica |
| Order | Collembola | Collembola |
| Family | Entomobryidae | Poduridae |
| Size | 3.0-5.0 mm | 1-1.5 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Detritivores | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America, Asia |
| 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.
Did You Know?
This is the first springtail species to have its metallothionein genes fully characterized for pollution biomonitoring.
Water Springtail
A distinctive dark-colored springtail found on the surface of still freshwater. It is the only species in its family and forms dense aggregations.
Did You Know?
It can walk on water using surface tension and its water-repellent cuticle.