Weta vs Elongate-bodied Springtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Weta | Elongate-bodied Springtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deinacrida heteracantha | Folsomia candida |
| Order | Orthoptera | Collembola |
| Family | Anostostomatidae | Isotomidae |
| Size | 70-100 mm (body only) | 0.5-1.5 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Caves |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
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.
Elongate-bodied Springtail
A white eyeless springtail commonly found in soil and cave environments worldwide. It is the most widely used springtail in laboratory ecotoxicology.
Did You Know?
It reproduces by parthenogenesis and is a standard test organism in soil toxicology.