Springtail

Scientific Name: Order Collembola (e.g., Entomobrya multifasciata)

Order & Family: Collembola; family Entomobryidae

Size: 1 to 6 millimeters (0.04 to 0.24 inches)

Springtail

Natural Habitat

Damp, moist environments like leaf litter, soil, under bark, or near indoor moisture sources like bathrooms and plant pots.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivorous, feeding on decaying organic matter, fungi, mold, algae, and bacteria.

Behavior Patterns

Known for a specialized tail-like appendage called a furcula used to jump long distances when threatened. They are nocturnal and highly sensitive to desiccation.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans, pets, and structures. Benefit the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter and cycling nutrients into the soil.

Identified on: 6/13/2026