Springtails are soil micro-arthropods
Springtails, or collembola, are
primitive hexapods (six-legged arthropods)
that are closely related to insects. These small
critters (1-6 mm, usually less than 3 mm) live in soil,
leaf litter, and other damp organic
material. Springtails can be extremely abundant
in some damp, highly organic soils. They generally
cause no harm to garden plants but may be so abundant
that they become a nuisance. Very occasionally they
damage tender, young garden plants by feeding on
roots.
Springtails may be nearly colorless to
white or gray and even yellow, orange, red, or green.
The name "springtail" comes from an ability to spring
forward, or jump, by releasing an appendage that is
normally tucked under the abdomen (right, lower
drawing). All stages except the egg are similar in
shape.
When springtails are abundant the cause
is usually high soil moisture and/or highly
organic soils. Usually the best control is to
reduce soil moisture by watering less. A normal
wet/dry cycle is often enough to reduce springtail
numbers in a garden. You might also cut back on the
amount of compost added each year. If an insecticide
is needed, however, insecticidal
soap or the new plant-based botanical insecticides
are good choices. Their other common name "collembola"
refers to the scientific name for the scientific Order
of these arthropods.
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Two views of a springtail;
photograph (upper, head and antennae to the
right) and line drawing (below, head to the
left). Note the long "springtail" at rear
end (lower, right) which may be folded under
as in the photo above.
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