Entomobrya unostrigata
Stach, 1930
cotton springtail
Entomobrya unostrigata is a slender springtail in the Entomobryidae, first described by Stach in 1930. The has a broad geographic distribution spanning Europe, the Mediterranean, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands. It is one of 17 Entomobrya species recorded from the Canary Islands, where it was previously reported prior to recent taxonomic surveys. Identification relies on macrochaetotaxy patterns rather than coloration alone, as pigmentation varies widely and fades in preservative.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Entomobrya unostrigata: /ˌɛntoʊmoʊˈbraɪə ˌjuːnoʊstrɪˈɡeɪtə/
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Identification
Distinguished from congeneric by macrochaetotaxy formula; coloration alone is not diagnostic as the species exhibits broad variation from pale to dark forms, and pigments fade in ethyl alcohol. The two recognized (E. u. dorsosignata and E. u. unostrigata) differ in pattern details.
Images
Distribution
Europe; Mediterranean region; Canary Islands; Central and northern/eastern Australia; Hawaiian Islands.
Similar Taxa
- Other Entomobrya speciesShare similar body plans and color ; require macrochaetotaxy analysis for reliable separation, as color patterns overlap broadly across .
More Details
Taxonomic notes
Two recognized: E. u. unostrigata Stach, 1930 and E. u. dorsosignata Stach, 1963. The name 'unostrigata' refers to a single stripe pattern, though actual pigmentation is variable.