Springtail

Scientific Name: Collembola

Order & Family: Order: Entomobryomorpha; Family: various (likely Isotomidae or Entomobryidae)

Size: 1 - 6 mm

Springtail

Natural Habitat

Damp environments, soil, leaf litter, and indoor areas with moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, and potted plants.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous scavengers that feed on decaying organic matter, fungi, mold, and algae.

Behavior Patterns

Known for their ability to 'jump' using a tail-like appendage called a furcula; they thrive in moist conditions and often gather in large numbers if their environment begins to dry out.

Risks & Benefits

They pose no health risk to humans or pets and do not cause structural damage. They are beneficial to ecosystems by breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Identified on: 12/27/2025