Springtail (specifically an elongate-bodied springtail)
Scientific Name: Collembola (Class); likely Entomobryomorpha (Order)
Order & Family: Order: Entomobryomorpha; Family: Likely Entomobryidae or Isotomidae
Size: Typically very tiny, ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Found in moist environments, soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, and sometimes indoors in humid areas like bathrooms or basements.
Diet & Feeding
Detritivores and herbivores; they feed on decaying organic matter, fungal spores, pollen, and bacteria.
Behavior Patterns
Known for their ability to jump or 'spring' away from danger using a tail-like structure called a furcula (visible in the image as the forked tail). They are generally social and can aggregate in large numbers.
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: They play a crucial ecological role in breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients in the soil. Risks: Harmless to humans and pets (they do not bite or sting), but can be a nuisance pest if found in large numbers indoors, indicating excess moisture.
Identified on: 2/7/2026