BioImages: The Virtual Field-Guide (UK)

COLLEMBOLA (springtails)

Notes (MWS)

Primitive wingless insects without metamorphosis. Springtails are named for the forked springing organ which most species have at the tip of the abdomen. This is held under the animal and can be forcefully extended causing it to jump many times its own length.

A very abundant group of organisms, in all terrestrial habitats. Their faecal pellets are a major component of many soils, becoming almost the only constituent in some cases.

Subtaxa

Rank	Taxon
Family	DICYRTOMIDAE (a family of springtails)	1
Species	Dicyrtoma fusca (a sprintail)		2
Family	ENTOMOBRYIDAE (a family of springtails)	1
Species	Orchesella cincta (a sprintail)		10
Species	Folsomia candida (a springtail)			2
Family	ISOTOMIDAE (a family of springtails)	1
Species	Pseudisotoma sensiblis (a springtail)		2
Family	TOMOCERIDAE (springtails)	2
Species	Pogonognathellus longicornis (a springtail)		8
Species	Tomocerus minor (a springtail)		1

Suggested Literature

Identification Works

Micropics: http://micropics.org.uk/	Web Site/Page
Checklist of the Collembola of the World: http://www.collembola.org ((World))	Web Site/Page
Gough, H.J., 1971 (Very out of date)	A Preliminary Survey of the Collembola of Skokholm
Guthrie, M., 1989	Animals of the Surface Film
Steve Hopkin: http://www.stevehopkin.co.uk	Web Site/Page
Hopkin, S.P., 2007	A Key to the Collembola (Springtails) of Britain and Ireland