Springtail
Scientific Name: Collembola (subclass)
Order & Family: Entomobryomorpha (common order) / Entomobryidae or similar family
Size: Typically minute, ranging from 0.2 mm to 6 mm, mostly under 3 mm.
Natural Habitat
Found in damp environments, leaf litter, soil, decaying organic matter, restrooms, and basements where moisture is present.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily detritivores and fungivores; they feed on decaying plant material, fungi, mold, algae, and bacteria.
Behavior Patterns
Named for their unique ability to jump using a tail-like appendage called a furcula tucked under their abdomen. They congregate in large numbers in moist areas and are active year-round, even in snow (snow fleas).
Risks & Benefits
Benefits: Crucial decomposers that help recycle nutrients in soil ecosystems. Risks: Generally harmless to humans and pets; they do not bite or sting but can be a nuisance pest in homes with high humidity or water leaks.
Identified on: 2/10/2026