Springtail

Their common name comes from the fact that most species have a furcula/springlike structure, which allows them to jump; a 3/16 inch long springtail can jump 3-4 inches. They are nuisance pests which are attracted to areas of high moisture. Springtails are worldwide in distribution, with more than 675 species occurring in the United States and Canada.

Recognition

Adults are mostly about 1/32-1/8 inch in length; body elongated or subglobular and soft, wingless. Color usually whitish or gray sometime purple, blue, green, yellow, or orange. Head with mouthparts for chewing; sometimes modified for sucking or filtering; eyes small, no more than eight facets each; and ocelli present or absent. Antenna short, four to six segmented. Abdomen five or six segmented, usually with a ventral forked structure attached on fourth segment, furcula at rest folded forward and held by a clasplike structure on third segment, and with a small tubular structure on first segment. Legs slender, small, and unmodified.

Immatures are externally similar to adults.

Habits

Springtails inhabit only moist or damp areas because they can rapidly lose water through their cuticle. Most species occur in the soil and in enormous numbers, up to 50,000 per cubic foot of forest litter or up to 30,0000/10.9 square feet in planted fields.

They often invade structures in search of moisture when their habitat becomes dry. They can enter through door thresholds, around utility pipes, through window screens, etc. They are frequently brought into structures, including offices, in potted plants. They are attracted to lights.