Snow-flea
Guides
Hymenaphorura cocklei
Golden Snow Flea
Hymenaphorura cocklei is a species of springtail in the family Onychiuridae, commonly known as the Golden Snow Flea. It is an eyeless, soil-dwelling collembolan with a characteristic golden-yellow coloration. The species is primarily recorded from western North America, particularly in forested mountainous regions. It belongs to a genus distinguished by specialized mouthpart structures and reduced pigmentation.
Hypogastrura
snow fleas
Hypogastrura is a large genus of springtails in the family Hypogastruridae, comprising at least 150 described species with a cosmopolitan distribution. The genus includes the well-known "snow fleas" such as Hypogastrura nivicola, which are conspicuous on snow surfaces in winter. Members are small, typically 1–3 mm, with the characteristic springtail body plan including a furcula for jumping and a ventral collophore. The genus occupies diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to caves and forest floors.
Hypogastrura harveyi
snow flea
Hypogastrura harveyi, commonly known as the snow flea, is a species of springtail in the family Hypogastruridae. It is one of several springtail species referred to as 'snow fleas' due to its habit of appearing on snow during winter months. The species was described by J.W. Folsom in 1902. Springtails in this genus possess a furcula (springing organ) that allows them to escape predators by leaping.
Hypogastrura nivicola
snow flea, dark blue springtail
Hypogastrura nivicola is a small, dark blue springtail commonly known as the snow flea in North America. Despite its common name, it is unrelated to true fleas and belongs to the ancient group Collembola, which predates the first vertebrates on land by millions of years. The species is notable for its ability to remain active on snow surfaces during winter, enabled by glycine-rich antifreeze proteins that prevent ice crystal formation in its tissues. It possesses the characteristic springtail anatomy including a furcula for jumping and a ventral collophore.
Hypogastrura tooliki
toolik snow flea
Hypogastrura tooliki, commonly known as the toolik snow flea, is a species of springtail in the family Hypogastruridae. It belongs to the genus Hypogastrura, which contains species often found active on snow surfaces during winter months. The species was described by Fjellberg in 1985. Like other members of its genus, it possesses cryoprotectant proteins that enable activity in subfreezing conditions.