Springtail
Scientific Name: Collembola
Order & Family: Order: Entomobryomorpha, Poduromorpha, or Neelipleona / Family: Various families depending on species
Size: 0.12 to 6 mm (0.005 to 0.24 inches)
Natural Habitat
Damp environments including soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, and sometimes indoors in areas with moisture like bathrooms or near houseplants.
Diet & Feeding
Mainly detritivorous, feeding on decaying plant material, fungi, bacteria, and algae.
Behavior Patterns
Known for their 'jumping' mechanism using a furcula (a tail-like appendage). They are wingless and often move in large numbers when conditions are ideal. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis.
Risks & Benefits
They are harmless to humans and pets, as they do not bite or sting. In ecosystems, they are highly beneficial as decomposers that help recycle nutrients and improve soil quality.
Identified on: 1/11/2026