Order Collembola - Springtails

• Green Springtail

Small wingless insects, with 4-6 antennal segments and biting mouthparts. Body often clothed with dense hairs or scales. Legs with no true tarsal segments - the tibiae end in a single or double claw. Abdomen with a bilobed structure, called the ventral tube, on the underside of the first segment. The name Collembola refers to the adhesive function of this structure (Greek kolla = glue and embolos = peg). The fourth abdominal segment usually bears a forked 'tail' or springing organ, called the furcula, which is normally folded forward beneath the body when not in use. Metamorphosis slight or absent. This is by far the largest Order of Apterygota (wingless insects) with about 2,000 species worldwide, of which just over 300 occur in the British Isles.

Description. Up to 4 mm long. Body clothed with short hairs. Colour rather variable, generally green, yellow, blue or violet.