Trade name
Giant Silver Springtail
Common name North America
Also written as: Giant Silver, Giant Silver Springtails, Giant Sliver Springtail
Sold as Giant Silver Springtail. The most likely species is Tomocerus vulgaris.
I bought this Open the key with this name selected. It starts from the species behind the name and asks what you can see.
What you probably have
These are the species the name may stand for. The order and the words show how sure we are.
- The seller lists Giant Silver Springtail as another common name for Tomocerus vulgaris.
- In some cases springtails sold as Tomocerus vulgaris are actually Tomocerus minor.
- Giant Silver Bullet is the name of another large tomocerid culture. The names overlap and a short label may be misread.
How to tell them apart
If you sell or buy under this name
What would settle it
-
How much hobby stock sold as *Tomocerus vulgaris* is really *Tomocerus minor*?
Trade names Needs a voucher specimen
Why it matters. A seller reports cultures of both species under the vulgaris name and recommends buying only stock traced to microscopy.
What would help. Dental spine counts from slide-mounted adults of several cultures.
Sources
- 1
Springtail Identification and Common Name Resource
Pavy R. Springtails US
Link works · Retailer
Cited at hobby name list, Tomocerus vulgaris "Common Bull Springtail"; hobby name list, Tomocerus minor "Giant Runner Springtail"; hobby name list, Pogonognathellus dubius "GSB/Giant Silver Bullet Springtail".