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.

Biology. Found in various habitats, where it feeds on rotting foliage, wood and other vegetable remains. The springing organ is well developed in this species and when the insect is disturbed it can leap away by flicking the 'tail', or furcula, backward and downward on to the ground. It is also adept at climbing, even on quite smooth surfaces, by using the ventral tube, which acts as an adhesive organ or suction pad. Under normal conditions there are probably several generations in a year.

Distribution. Throughout Europe, including the British Isles.

Photo: V.J. Stanek ©