Bug Identifier
Springtail
Community identification

Springtail

Collembola

Order & Family
Order Collembola
Size
0.2 to 6 millimeters long.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Damp soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, and humid outdoor structures.

Diet & Feeding

Fungi, algae, decomposing organic matter, and bacteria.

Behavior Patterns

They jump using a specialized ventral appendage called a furcula when disturbed and require high moisture to survive.

Risks & Benefits

Completely harmless to humans, pets, and structures; they aid in soil aeration and decomposition.