Weta vs Alpine Cave Springtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Weta | Alpine Cave Springtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deinacrida heteracantha | Onychiuroides alpinus |
| Order | Orthoptera | Collembola |
| Family | Anostostomatidae | Onychiuridae |
| Size | 70-100 mm (body only) | 0.8-1.2 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Caves |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Italy |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Data Deficient |
Weta
Giant insects endemic to New Zealand, some of the heaviest in the world. Wetapunga can weigh up to 70 grams. Living fossils that have remained virtually unchanged for 190 million years.
Did You Know?
The giant weta is so heavy it cannot jump — weighing up to 70 grams (heavier than a mouse), it is one of the heaviest insects on Earth and a living fossil from the age of dinosaurs.
Alpine Cave Springtail
A recently described blind springtail from caves in the Italian Alps. It lacks eyes, pigment, and a jumping furca.
Did You Know?
It survives in caves where temperatures remain just a few degrees above freezing.