Minnesota Springtails

 

Class Collembola

Collembola is the class of hexapods called springtails. Traditionally, springtails were placed in the order Collembola under the class Insecta. Later, the order was placed in the class Entognatha along with orders Diplura (two-pronged bristletails) and Protura (coneheads). It was later determined that the three orders were derived from more than one evolutionary ancestor (polyphyletic), and the class Entognatha was therefore invalid. Most authors now place springtails in the class Collembola.

Springtails are characterized by the following:

  • oval or elongated body;
  • minute, no more than ¼ (6 mm) long;
  • abdomen with 6 or fewer segments;
  • a ventral tube (collophore) projecting from the first abdominal segment;
  • no wings;
  • short antennae with 4 to 6 segments;
  • hidden, internal mouthparts; and
  • most, but not all, have a forked, tail-like appendage on the abdomen that allows them to jump.

 

Springtails are cosmopolitan, occurring on every continent including Antarctica. There are more than 8,200 described species in more than 670 genera in 31 families in 4 orders of springtails worldwide. There are at least 19 species in 13 genera in Minnesota.

  belted springtail  
  Photo by Alfredo Colon  

 

Recent Additions

Springtails (Hypogastrura spp.)

Hypogastrura is a genus of springtails. They are sometimes called snow fleas, but this common name is properly applied to just one species, Hypogastrura nivicola. There are at least 159 Hypogastrura species worldwide, at least 89 species in North America, and at least 1 species in Minnesota. They are found in moist areas rich in organic matter. They often appear in in very large numbers.

Hypogastrura springtail has a plump, elongated oval body. It is bluish-black but appears black when viewed against a light background. The legs and antennae are short. Identifying a springtail to the genus Hypogastrura is relatively simple, but identifying one to the species is extremely difficult. It requires microscopic examination of the hairs on the last leg segment.

  springtail (Hypogastrura sp.)

Photo by Luciearl

Belted springtail

Belted springtail (Orchesella cincta) is a large slender springtail. It occurs in western Europe, southern Canada, and northern United States. It is one of the most common and one of the largest springtails in the United Kingdom. Based on the number of records, it is uncommon in Minnesota. However, it is probably underreported due to its small size and habitat preferences. It is found in soil, leaf litter, rotting wood, and moss, under stones, and on tree trunks.

Adults are slender, about long, and reddish-brown, brown, or blackish-brown. They are covered with long hairs. The abdomen has a white band followed by a very dark band, making the abdomen appear “belted”. This is the source of the common name of the species.

  belted springtail

Photo by Alfredo Colon

Other Recent Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

This list includes only springtails that have been recorded in Minnesota, but not all of the springtails found in Minnesota.

 

Profile Photo Video      
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belted springtail (Orchesella cincta)

belted springtail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

springtail (Hypogastrura sp.)

       

cosmopolitan springtail (Entomobrya nivalis)

       

cotton springtail (Entomobrya unostrigata)

       

damp grain springtail (Willowsia buski)

       

elongate-bodied springtail (Cyphoderus similis)

       

garden springtail (Bourletiella hortensis)

       

globular springtail (Bourletiella arvalis)

       

globular springtail (Deuterosminthurus bicinctus)

       

globular springtail (Pseudosinella rolfsi)

       

globular springtail (Sminthurinus henshawi)

       

globular springtail (Sminthurinus elegans)

       

hypogastrurid springtails (Family Hypogastruridae)

       

slender springtail (Lepidocyrtus paradoxus)

       

slender springtail (Willowsia nigromaculata)

       

slender springtail (Homidia socia)

       

smooth springtail (Isotoma viridis)

       

snow flea (Hypogastrura nivicola)

Profile Photo    

springtails (Hypogastrura spp.)

       

water springtail (Podura aquatica)

Bourletiella arvalis (globular springtail)

Bourletiella hortensis (garden springtail)

Cyphoderus similis (elongate-bodied springtail)

Deuterosminthurus bicinctus (globular springtail)

Entomobrya nivalis (cosmopolitan springtail)

Entomobrya unostrigata (cotton springtail)

Homidia socia (slender springtail)

Hypogastrura nivicola (snow flea)

Hypogastrura spp. (springtails)

Hypogastruridae (hypogastrurid springtails)

Isotoma viridis (smooth springtail)

Lepidocyrtus paradoxus (slender springtail)

Orchesella cincta (belted springtail)

Podura aquatica (water springtail)

Pseudosinella rolfsi (globular springtail)

Sminthurinus elegans (globular springtail)

Sminthurinus henshawi (globular springtail)

Willowsia buski (damp grain springtail)

Willowsia nigromaculata (slender springtail)

No Species Page Yet?

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