Springtail
Scientific Name: Order Collembola
Order & Family: Order Collembola, Family Isotomidae (probable based on appearance)
Size: 1 to 6 mm (typically 1/16 to 1/8 inch)
Natural Habitat
Damp environments including soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, and moist areas of homes like bathrooms or kitchens
Diet & Feeding
Mainly detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter, fungi, mold, and algae
Behavior Patterns
They possess a specialized forked appendage called a furcula that allows them to jump several inches when threatened; they often congregate in large numbers where high moisture levels exist
Risks & Benefits
They do not bite, sting, or damage structures and are harmless to humans and pets; they provide an ecosystem benefit by breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil
Identified on: 12/27/2025