Entomobryidae

Definition

A large family of springtails (Collembola) in the order Entomobryomorpha, distinguished by an enlarged fourth abdominal segment, a well-developed furcula for jumping, and often conspicuous body scales that produce striking color patterns. Members range from minute, scale-less soil dwellers frequently captured in pitfall traps to arboreal species occurring in forest canopies.

Etymology

Example

The cosmopolitan genus Entomobrya, with its metallic blue or purple scales, is among the most commonly encountered Entomobryidae in leaf-litter samples and canopy fogging collections.

Synonyms

• Slender springtails

Related Terms

• Collembola
• Entomobryomorpha
• Furcula
• springtail
• pitfall trap

Usage Notes

The common name 'slender springtails' refers to body shape but is not exclusive; some Entomobryidae are relatively robust. Scale-less species are often mistaken for other families in field samples. The family is paraphyletic with respect to some other entomobryomorph groups, and molecular systematics continues to revise generic boundaries.