Svalbard Springtail vs Spotted Springtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Svalbard Springtail | Spotted Springtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Folsomia quadrioculata | Orchesella cincta |
| Order | Collembola | Collembola |
| Family | Isotomidae | Entomobryidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 3.0-5.0 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Forests |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Svalbard, Scandinavia, Iceland, northern Russia, Arctic Canada | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Svalbard Springtail
A small, pale springtail with only four simple eyes, for which it is named. It is extremely common in Arctic soils where it plays a major role in decomposition. Populations can reach densities of thousands per square meter.
Did You Know?
This springtail is so abundant in Arctic soils that it is considered one of the most important decomposer organisms in tundra ecosystems.
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.