Springtail
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Springtails (Order Collembola) are small primative hexapods whose chief ecological function are as scavengers. Often they are quite abundant in their habitat, numbering in the millions of individuals per acre. Springtails are found almost everywhere on Earth, including regions beyond the snowlines in Antartica. Sometimes referred to as "snowfleas" because of their abundance, those in high density environments will often cannabilize each other.
Most species have a furcula on the 4th or 5th abdominal segment. This structure is used for jumping. The furcula is usually folded under the insect, and held by a catch. When the catch is released, the furcula unfolds down and back, springing the insect a few inches into the air. It's from this peculiarity that the springtail is named. Springtails also have a tubular structure, or collophore, on the first abdominal segment. It is most likely for taking in water. However, Collembola comes from the Latin meaning "glue peg" referring to the since discredited belief that the tube was for holding a springtail on a perch.
Identification
Springtails are small, wingless insects ranging 2-6mm in length. They are colorful, ranging from white, gray, red, yellow, orange, purple, brown, or mottled. The abdomen has 6 or fewer segments, and no cerci. The abdomens are short, with 4-6 segments. Their mouthparts are used for chewing.
Life Cycle
Springtails undergo simple metamorphosis; that is, nymphs of this order are similar to the adult.
Habitat
Springtails are mostly found in soil and leaf litter, under bark, in fungi or decaying wood, and on the surface of freshwater lakes and ponds. Some species attack plants in greenhouses and spread plant diseases. Most, however, are harmless.
Taxonomy
Springtails were once thought to be insects. However, the have only 4-6 abdominal segments, the fewer than any insect. Recently, springtails, along with Diplurans, bristletails, and proutrans they were reclassified under the class Entognatha.
Number of species
There are 315 species found in North America, and 2000 worldwide.
Suborders
There are four suborders in this order, principally separated by segmentation and body shape.
Bibliography
Borrer, DJ and RE White. A Field Guide to Insects: America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, 1970. ISBN 0-395-91170-2
Milne, L and M Milne. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.: 1995. ISBN 0-394-50763-0