Springtails (Collembola)Common Name: Springtails
Latin Name: Collembola
Appearance:
Most springtails are dark in colors, such as brown, grey, or black. Some species are white, while others are brilliantly colored.
Insects are typically thin and elongated, although there is a spherical and hefty group.
Antennae are quite tiny, measuring between 1/16th and 1/8th inch in length.
Springtails lack wings and hence cannot fly. They can, however, jump many inches utilizing a forked structure under the belly.
Springtails and fleas are similar in size, but their structures differ.
Fleas have flattened bodies that are incredibly robust, making crushing a difficult way of killing them.
Springtails have a more rounded, squishy body that is readily crushed.
Host plant:
Commensal or parasitic species (or larger taxonomic groups) use this species as a host.
Territory:
Springtails can be found throughout the U.S.
Damages caused by Springtails:
Springtails are tiny insects with no wings that belong to the Order Collembola. They are commonly discovered in dwellings that have excessive humidity, organic material, or mold. They eat fungus, fungal spores, and decaying plants, which causes organic matter and other nutrients to return to the soil. Plants utilize these nutrients later on. Springtails will occasionally attack young plants, causing root and stem damage.
Life history and habitat:
Springtails are tiny insects with no wings that belong to the Order Collembola. They can be found in great numbers in damp soil and dwellings with excessive humidity, organic material, or mold. They eat fungus, fungal spores, and rotting, moist plants, which causes organic matter and other nutrients to return to the soil. Springtails have three phases of development: egg, nymph, and adult. Females lay eggs alone or in small groups, which hatch in about three weeks. As they grow into adults, nymphs molt six to eight times. Nymphs resemble adults in appearance but are smaller in size.
