Springtail

Scientific Name: Collembola (Class or Subclass)

Order & Family: Order: Entomobryomorpha or Poduromorpha; Common families include Isotomidae and Entomobryidae

Size: Microscopic to barely visible; typically 0.2 mm to 6 mm in length

Springtail

Natural Habitat

Moist environments such as damp soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, and fungi; often found indoors in bathrooms, basements, or potted plant soil.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivores and fungivores; feeds on decaying organic matter, mold, fungi, bacteria, and algae.

Behavior Patterns

Named for their unique defensive mechanism: a tail-like appendage called a furcula that snaps against the ground to catapult them into the air when threatened. They often gather in large numbers.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans and pets (they do not bite, sting, or damage structures); can be a nuisance pest in damp homes. Ecologically essential for breaking down organic matter and enriching soil.

Identified on: 2/23/2026