Slide 1
Many springtails leap from damp soil and leaf litter
Springtails are small wingless arthropods common in moist soil and leaf litter. Many can leap suddenly when disturbed.
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They belong to a group of six-legged animals distinct from the true insects in modern classification. Small size makes that diversity easy to overlook among the moving specks in soil.
Slide 2
A folded furcula springs against the ground
Many springtails carry a forked structure called a furcula beneath the abdomen. Releasing it against a surface can propel the body into the air.
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The jump does not use enlarged hind legs in the same way as a grasshopper. A superficially similar escape movement can be powered by a different anatomical structure.
Slide 3
Moisture keeps their tiny habitats suitable
Springtails are often abundant where organic debris stays damp. Drying can reduce the suitability of the tiny spaces they occupy.
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A patch of litter contains gradients in humidity and temperature. Moving a short distance through that patch can change conditions substantially for an animal only a few millimetres long.
Slide 4
Feeding links springtails with fungi and decay
Many springtails feed on fungi and decaying material. Their grazing and waste contribute to interactions within the soil community.
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They are also prey for other small animals. Their ecological role includes transferring food to predators, so they are not merely miniature waste processors working outside the food web.
Slide 5
A sudden crowd can reflect suitable food and moisture
Large numbers of springtails sometimes become conspicuous around damp places. Abundance can reflect suitable moisture and food rather than a threat to people.
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They do not bite or sting, and most cause little plant damage. Identifying them correctly prevents a jumping movement alone from being mistaken for evidence of a flea infestation.
Sources
- Small orders
Natural History Museum
- Springtails
University of Minnesota Extension