What do springtails look like?

Springtails belong to the Order Collembola.

What do springtails look like?

Size:

• Usually 1 mm - 3 mm in length, though some grow to 10 mm.

Body:

• Globular or column-like.
• Has a siphon tube just behind the rear legs. This tube is prominent in springtails that a reduced springing organ.
• Appears soft.

Antennae:

• Bead-like, or thread-like.
• Rarely longer than body.

Eyes:

• Absent or very small.

Mouthparts:

• Enclosed within the folds of the head (difficult to see).

Wings:

• Absent.

Limbs:

• Six legs usually short and stumpy.

Abdomen tip:

• Forked springing organ or anal spine (often folded under the abdomen).

Where are springtails found?

• Anywhere.
• Most are found in soil, amongst leaf litter, or around decomposing logs, dung or root zones.
• Often seen after heavy rain as a dark purple scum on the top of puddles.

What do springtails do?

• They often group together in large numbers.
• When disturbed they spring (jump) erratically, sometimes over large distances.
• Most springtails eat microflora such as bacteria and fungi, decaying plant and animal material or graze other plant related surfaces.
• Some are also known to eat waste products from other insects or even their own.
• A small number are predators, pollen-feeders, or plant feeders.
• They are active during the day and night.

What looks similar?

• Springtails are very distinctive so are not generally confused with any other animal.