Springtail
Guides
Agrenia bidenticulata
Agrenia bidenticulata is the type species of the genus Agrenia, a springtail in the family Isotomidae. It belongs to the bidenticulata species group, characterized by the presence of a mucronal seta. Populations show considerable morphological variation across their range, with Buryatian mountain forms differing from typical arctic populations in claw length. The species exhibits sexual polymorphism (epitoky) and cyclomorphosis.
Allonychiurus
Allonychiurus is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Onychiuridae, established by Yoshii in 1995. The genus includes species that inhabit soil ecosystems, with Allonychiurus kimi being particularly well-studied as an ISO-standardized soil bioindicator for ecotoxicology. Members are wingless and exhibit limited mobility, with some species showing negative phototaxis. The genus has been documented across Arctic, subarctic, and temperate regions including Europe and northeastern Eurasia.
Allonychiurus flavescens
Allonychiurus flavescens is a species of springtail in the family Onychiuridae. It is a small, soil-dwelling hexapod found in Pacific North American and Sino-Japanese regions. As an euedaphic collembolan, it lives deep within soil profiles and lacks a furcula (springing organ) typical of surface-dwelling springtails. The species was described by Kinoshita in 1916.
Americabrya
Americabrya is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Entomobryidae, described in 1987 by Mari Mutt and Palacios-Vargas. It belongs to the subfamily Willowsiinae and tribe Willowsiini. The genus is distributed across the Americas, with records from the Caribbean, northeastern and central Brazil, Pacific North America, and southern North America.
Americanura bara
Americanura bara is a species of springtail in the family Neanuridae, described by K. Christiansen and P. Bellinger in 1980. It belongs to the order Poduromorpha, a group of springtails characterized by their relatively short bodies and reduced furcula. The species is part of the genus Americanura, which contains several North American species. Distribution records indicate presence in northern and southern North America.
Anurida granaria
granary short-legged springtail
Anurida granaria is a springtail species in the family Neanuridae, first described by Hercule Nicolet in 1847. It has been observed in a documented mycophagy association with the cup fungus Peziza arvernensis in southern Brazil, where a colony of over 500 individuals used a single fungal apothecium as both food source and living space. The species exhibits complete life cycle activities including molting, courtship behavior, and oviposition within fungal structures.
Anurida maritima
seashore springtail, rock springtail
Anurida maritima is a cosmopolitan springtail confined to the intertidal zone, where it forms dense aggregations of up to several hundred individuals on rock-pool surfaces. This wingless collembolan exhibits unique adaptations to marine conditions, including a vestigial furcula that prevents jumping and hydrophobic body hairs that enable it to remain on water surfaces. The species demonstrates complex behavioral rhythms synchronized with tidal cycles and survives winter through egg diapause. Recent genetic studies have revealed cryptic speciation within this morphospecies, with distinct mitochondrial and nuclear lineages now recognized.
Anurophorinae
Anurophorinae is a subfamily of springtails (Collembola) within the family Isotomidae, established by Börner in 1901. Members of this subfamily are characterized by the absence of a furcula (springing organ), a trait reflected in the name 'Anurophorinae' (meaning 'tailless'). These small hexapods are part of the diverse soil and leaf litter fauna, contributing to decomposition processes. The subfamily is moderately well-represented in global collections with over 1,100 iNaturalist observations recorded.
Anurophorus near-septentrionalis
Anurophorus near-septentrionalis is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae. It belongs to a genus of small, elongate collembolans found primarily in soil and leaf litter habitats. The specific epithet 'near-septentrionalis' suggests morphological similarity to A. septentrionalis, a northern-distributed species, though its precise taxonomic status may require verification.
Arrhopalites diversus
Arrhopalites diversus is a species of globular springtail in the family Arrhopalitidae, described by H.B. Mills in 1934. It belongs to the order Symphypleona, characterized by a rounded, globular body form. The species has been recorded from multiple regions across North America and the Caribbean. Like other members of its family, it inhabits soil and leaf litter environments.
Ballistura tuberculata
Ballistura tuberculata is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by J. Stach in 1947. It belongs to the order Entomobryomorpha, one of the major lineages of Collembola. The specific epithet 'tuberculata' suggests the presence of tubercle-like structures, though detailed morphological descriptions remain limited in available literature.
Bourletiella
Bourletiella is a genus of springtails in the family Bourletiellidae, suborder Symphypleona. These globular springtails are characterized by their rounded body shape and are among the most frequently observed springtail genera, with over 3,000 iNaturalist records. The genus was established by Banks in 1899 and contains multiple described species distributed across diverse habitats including polar, temperate, and arid regions.
Bourletiella arvalis
globular springtail
Bourletiella arvalis is a globular springtail species in the family Bourletiellidae, characterized by its distinctive yellow to orange body coloration and purple-tipped, pronged antennae. As a member of the Symphypleona order, it exhibits the rounded, globular body form typical of this group rather than the elongated shape of other springtail lineages. The species has been recorded across multiple continents including Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and Macaronesia, suggesting broad distribution.
Bourletiella juanitae
Bourletiella juanitae is a species of globular springtail described by E.A. Maynard in 1951. It belongs to the family Bourletiellidae, a group of springtails characterized by their rounded, compact body form. The species has been documented in western and southern North America. As with other symphypleonan springtails, it possesses a furcula (springing organ) that enables leaping locomotion.
Bourletiella rustica
Bourletiella rustica is a species of globular springtail described by E.A. Maynard in 1951. It belongs to the family Bourletiellidae, a group of small, rounded Collembola characterized by their compact body form. The species is part of the diverse springtail fauna of North America, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Bourletiella savona
Bourletiella savona is a species of globular springtail in the family Bourletiellidae, described by E.A. Maynard in 1951. As a member of the order Symphypleona, it possesses the characteristic rounded, globular body form distinct from the elongated shape of other springtail groups. The species is known from North America. Like other bourletiellid springtails, it inhabits soil and leaf litter environments where it contributes to decomposition processes.
Bourletiella viridescens
garden springtail
Bourletiella viridescens is a species of globular springtail (order Symphypleona) commonly known as the garden springtail. It was described by Stach in 1920 and has been recorded from Europe, the Azores, and Australia. A 2015 taxonomic revision established that Katianna coeruleocephala, described from Java in 1920 from a single collection, is a junior synonym of this species. The species inhabits moist organic substrates and is associated with decomposing plant material.
Brachystomella parvula
Brachystomella parvula is a species of springtail in the family Brachystomellidae, described by Schäffer in 1896. It belongs to the order Poduromorpha, a group of small hexapods characterized by reduced or absent furcula (springing organ) in some families. The species has been recorded from European localities, with additional distribution records from the Azores (Faial and São Miguel islands) and broader Atlantic regions.
Brachystomella villalobosi
Brachystomella villalobosi is a species of springtail described from Brazil in 1962. It belongs to the family Brachystomellidae, a group of small, soil-dwelling hexapods within the order Poduromorpha. The species is documented from northeastern and central Brazil, with records also from the Caribbean mainland. Very few observations exist, with only two records in iNaturalist.
Calvatomina rufescens
Calvatomina rufescens is a globular springtail species in the family Dicyrtomidae, first described by O.M. Reuter in 1892. It belongs to the order Symphypleona, characterized by a rounded, globular body form distinct from the elongate shape of other springtail groups. The species has been recorded from Europe, the Caribbean mainland, and Macaronesia. Like other dicyrtomids, it inhabits moist terrestrial environments where it contributes to decomposition processes.
Calx
Calx is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Kenneth Christiansen in 1958. The genus belongs to the subfamily Entomobryinae and tribe Entomobryini. Members of this genus are small, wingless hexapods with the characteristic furcula (springing organ) that defines the order. The genus has been recorded across multiple biogeographic regions including North America, the Caribbean, the Andes, and India.
Ceratophysella gibbosa
Ceratophysella gibbosa is a species of springtail in the family Hypogastruridae. It was originally described as Achorutes gibbosus by Bagnall in 1940. The species has been recorded from the Azores archipelago (Faial, São Miguel, Santa Maria) and Antarctic & Subantarctic regions, as well as the Caribbean mainland. Very little specific biological information is available for this particular species.
Ceratophysella succinea
Ceratophysella succinea is a species of springtail in the family Hypogastruridae. It belongs to the order Poduromorpha, a group of soil-dwelling springtails characterized by their compact body form. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range including Arctic, European, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Australian regions.
Cheirotoma spatulata
Cheirotoma spatulata is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by Chamberlain in 1943. The specific epithet "spatulata" refers to a spatulate or spoon-shaped structure, likely describing a diagnostic morphological feature. As a member of Entomobryomorpha, it possesses the scaled body covering characteristic of this diverse order of Collembola. The species has been documented from Pacific North American localities.
Coecobrya
Coecobrya is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Entomobryidae) characterized by pronounced troglomorphic adaptations in cave-dwelling species. The genus includes both surface and subterranean species, with Thai cave species exhibiting the most extreme troglomorphy known for Collembola in Southeast Asia. Many species display elongated antennae, legs and furca, reduced pigmentation, and eye loss. The genus has been recorded from caves in Thailand, South Africa, and other regions, with molecular studies supporting species discrimination using COI, 16S rDNA and 28S rDNA markers.
Coecobrya tenebricosa
Coecobrya tenebricosa is a cave-dwelling springtail species in the family Entomobryidae. It belongs to the tenebricosa-group, characterized by the absence of eyes, an unguis with one unpaired median tooth, and a manubrium lacking smooth chaetae. The species has been recorded from multiple disjunct regions including the Caribbean mainland, Europe, Hawaii, Macaronesia, and the Mediterranean.
Cryptopygus
Cryptopygus is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Isotomidae) with a cosmopolitan distribution spanning polar, temperate, and tropical regions. The genus includes Antarctic endemics such as C. terranovus, a relict species that survived the Last Glacial Maximum on the Antarctic continent, as well as species from seashores, littoral zones, and terrestrial habitats. At least 29 species are recognized in the Americas. Some species exhibit specialized ecological associations, including an undescribed Mexican species found in association with the hermit crab Coenobita clypeatus.
Cyphoderus similis
Cyphoderus similis is an elongate-bodied springtail species in the family Paronellidae, described by J.W. Folsom in 1927. It is myrmecophilic and has been documented in phoretic association with the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). The species occurs across multiple insular and coastal regions including the Caribbean, Hawaii, Macaronesia, and the Amazon basin.
Desoria canadensis
Desoria canadensis is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by Brown in 1932. This small hexapod belongs to the class Collembola, a group of wingless arthropods commonly found in soil and leaf litter. The species occurs in Arctic, subarctic, and northern North American regions. As with most springtails, it likely plays a role in decomposition and nutrient cycling in soil ecosystems.
Desoria gelida
Desoria gelida is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by J.W. Folsom in 1937. The specific epithet 'gelida' suggests association with cold environments. It is known from limited observations in North America, particularly in Pacific and northern regions. As with other Desoria species, it belongs to a diverse genus of soil-dwelling collembolans.
Desoria hoodensis
Desoria hoodensis is a species of springtail described in 1998 by K. Christiansen and P. Bellinger. It belongs to the family Isotomidae, a large group of elongate-bodied springtails. The species is known from the Pacific North American region. Like other members of Desoria, it is a soil-dwelling microarthropod.
Desoria trispinata
Desoria trispinata is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae. It was first described from the Azores archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The species belongs to a genus of elongate-bodied springtails commonly found in soil and leaf litter habitats. Limited published information exists on its biology.
Deuterosminthurus bicinctus
Deuterosminthurus bicinctus is a springtail species in the family Bourletiellidae, first described by Koch in 1840. It is notable for its elaborate courtship and mating rituals involving spermatophore transfer, which have been studied in detail. Males perform a complex sequence of behaviors including a rhythmic head-to-head 'dance' to direct females to deposited spermatophores. The species has been recorded across Europe, the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia, and Australia.
Deuterosminthurus luridus
Deuterosminthurus luridus is a species of globular springtail in the family Bourletiellidae, described by Snider in 1978. It belongs to the order Symphypleona, which includes springtails with a rounded, globular body form. The genus Deuterosminthurus contains species characterized by specific morphological features of the mouthparts and body structure. Very little published information exists regarding the natural history of this particular species.
Deuterosminthurus pallipes
Deuterosminthurus pallipes is a species of springtail in the family Bourletiellidae, first described by Bourlet in 1843. It belongs to the order Symphypleona, characterized by a globular body form. The species has a broad distribution across Europe, Macaronesia, the Mediterranean region, northeastern Eurasia, and has been introduced to New Zealand.
Deutonura frigida
Deutonura frigida is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Neanuridae, first described by Yosii in 1969. The species belongs to the order Poduromorpha, a group characterized by a globular body form and reduced or absent furcula (springing organ). Records indicate a broad distribution across Arctic, sub-Arctic, and North American regions, including Pacific and southern North American localities, as well as the Sino-Japanese region. As a member of the genus Deutonura, it shares the family's typical traits of reduced pigmentation and specialized mouthparts.
Dicyrtoma flammea
Dicyrtoma flammea is a species of globular springtail in the family Dicyrtomidae, first described by E.A. Maynard in 1951. It belongs to the order Symphypleona, a group characterized by their rounded, globular body shape and spring-loaded furcula used for jumping. The species has been documented across North America with distribution records spanning northern, southern, and Pacific regions of the continent.
Dicyrtoma fusca
Dicyrtoma fusca is a species of globular springtail in the family Dicyrtomidae, distributed across the United States and Europe. The species exhibits variable coloration ranging from yellowish-red to dark red, with a distinctive pattern of two intersecting dorsal stripes forming a cross shape on the back. A lighter form (var. 1) and a darker subspecies (D. fusca var. rufescens) have been described, with the latter being predominantly European and characterized by yellowish eyes. The species possesses the characteristic pronged antennae typical of the genus Dicyrtoma.
springtailglobular-springtailCollembolaSymphypleonaDicyrtomidaeDicyrtomaDicyrtoma-fuscaDicyrtoma-fusca-var.-rufescensDicyrtoma-fusca-Var-1United-StatesEuropeAzoresArcticSub-arcticLubbock-1873pronged-antennaedorsal-stripescross-patternreddish-colorationyellowish-reddark-redvariable-colorationeye-colorationsubspeciescolor-variantDicyrtoma hageni
globular springtail
Dicyrtoma hageni is a species of globular springtail in the family Dicyrtomidae, order Symphypleona. First described by Folsom in 1896, this species belongs to a group of small, soft-bodied hexapods characterized by their rounded, globular body form and ability to jump using a furcula (springing organ) on the ventral abdomen. The species is part of the diverse Collembola fauna found across North America.
Dicyrtomina
globular springtails
Dicyrtomina is a genus of globular springtails (order Symphypleona) characterized by a rounded, compact body form distinct from elongate springtail lineages. Members exhibit latch-mediated spring-actuated (LaMSA) jumping powered by the furca, a modified fourth abdominal segment. The genus includes species such as D. minuta, which has been extensively studied for its extraordinary jumping kinematics, and D. saundersi, which displays neustonic (surface-floating) behavior. Species occur primarily in moist leaf litter habitats across Europe, North America, and other regions, with some populations adapted to aquatic surface microlayer environments.
Dicyrtomina minuta
Dicyrtomina minuta is a globular springtail distinguished by extraordinary jumping performance. Its furca-powered jumps achieve take-off velocities averaging 1 m/s with peak accelerations of 1938 m/s². All jumps involve rapid backwards body rotation at rates up to 368.7 Hz—the fastest rotational rates documented in any animal system. The species exhibits two distinct landing strategies: controlled collophore-anchoring for immediate arrest, or uncontrolled tumbling. Despite body lengths of only 1–2 mm, horizontal jumps reach 102 mm and vertical jumps 62 mm.
Drepanura californica
Drepanura californica is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Entomobryidae. It was described by H. Schött in 1891 and is known from California and other Pacific North American regions. The genus Drepanura is characterized by distinctive morphological features including a furcula with reduced dentes. As an entomobryid springtail, it inhabits soil and leaf litter environments where it contributes to decomposition processes.
Entomobrya assuta
Entomobrya assuta is a species of slender springtail described by J.W. Folsom in 1924. It belongs to the family Entomobryidae, one of the most diverse families within the order Entomobryomorpha. The species has been documented across multiple continents, with distribution records from North America and Australia. Springtails in this genus are generally small, soft-bodied hexapods that inhabit soil and leaf litter environments.
Entomobrya atrocincta
Dimorphic Springtail
Entomobrya atrocincta is a slender springtail species distinguished by its unusual sexual dimorphism in coloration, a trait rare among springtails. Males are vivid orange, sometimes with white or black bands, while females are dull tan. The species is commonly known as the Dimorphic Springtail.
Entomobrya bicolor
slender springtail
Entomobrya bicolor is a species of slender springtail in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Joseph Guthrie in 1903 from Minnesota. Adults display a distinctive color pattern with a dark brown or blue-brown body and a yellow band across the abdomen, contrasting with the almost entirely yellow juveniles. The species belongs to the E. bicolor species complex, which includes E. quadrilineata and E. decemfasciata, characterized by elongated bodies, long appendages, and asymmetrically arranged bristles.
Entomobrya clitellaria
Entomobrya clitellaria is a slender-bodied springtail species described by J.E. Guthrie in 1903. Native to North America, it has established introduced populations in Australia. The species is readily recognizable by its yellowish body with contrasting black banding and darkly pigmented antennae. It shows a strong association with urban and human-modified environments across its range.
Entomobrya confusa
Entomobrya confusa is a species of slender springtail in the family Entomobryidae, described by Kenneth Christiansen in 1958. It belongs to the order Entomobryomorpha, one of the three major lineages of springtails. The species is part of a large genus of surface-dwelling springtails characterized by elongated bodies and well-developed furculae. Distribution records indicate presence in North American and Pacific North American regions.
Entomobrya decemfasciata
Entomobrya decemfasciata is a species of slender springtail in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Packard in 1873. The species epithet "decemfasciata" (Latin: ten-banded) likely refers to ten transverse bands or stripes on the body. It belongs to a large genus of globular to elongate springtails commonly found in leaf litter and soil habitats.
Entomobrya ligata
slender springtail
Entomobrya ligata is a species of slender springtail in the family Entomobryidae. It belongs to the order Entomobryomorpha, one of the major lineages of springtails (Collembola). The species was described by J.W. Folsom in 1924. Like other members of its genus, it possesses a slender body form and the characteristic furcula (springing organ) that enables the jumping locomotion typical of springtails. The species has been recorded from North America and the Caribbean mainland.
Entomobrya multifasciata
Entomobrya multifasciata is a cosmopolitan springtail species in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Tullberg in 1871. It is characterized by a distinctive wavy striped pattern and elongated body form. The species shows a notable preference for urban environments over wooded areas.