Page 149 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

SPRINGTAIL SPRINGTAIL
FURCULA

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- long 6.Thorax
2.Eyes 7.Petiole- none SPRINGTAIL
3.Head 8.Abdomen- fork-like appendage at 1 8
4.Legs- 6 end of abdomen “furcula”
5.Wings- none 9.Color- whitish gray
1 0 . O t h e r - h u m p b a c k e d
Life Cycle
Eggs are widely scattered in soil, litter, sand, etc. They hatch in the late 4
spring, and nymphs just look like tiny adults, maturing by late fall or early
winter. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

SPRINGTAILS Actual size 1/10”
Springtails are a very small insect resembling a flea, less than 1/10th inch in length. They can
be found in very large numbers at times, usually in forest debris where there can be as many
as 50,000 per cubic foot. While they can infest buildings, they are usually found under rocks
(sometimes being called “rock lice”), compost piles, and around swimming pools. They will oc-
casionally even be found in snow (where they are called “snow fleas”).

They feed on algae and decaying plant matter, trying to stay in a moist environment. If they
infest a house, they will be found in bathrooms, kitchens, and damp basements. They actually
do little or no damage to their environment.

1.Antenna- 2 pair 6.Thorax- seven segments
2.Eyes- 2 7.Petiole- none LAWN SHRIMP
3.Head- chewing mouthparts 8.Abdomen- fused segments 6
4.Legs- leg-like appendages 9.Color- green, brown, and black
5.Wings- none 10.Other- can jump well 8

Life Cycle
The female molts while mating. The eggs are eventually deposited 1
inside a brood pouch on the underside of the female. They hatch in 1-3 4
weeks, and leave the pouch within the next week. The young look just
like small adults. A female may only produce a single batch of eggs,
and the entire egg to adult process can take up to a year. Drawing by Andrew Schaible

LAWN SHRIMP Actual size 3/8”

There are about 90 species of shrimp in the United States, but only a few are terrestrial in nature.
Two are common in Florida. Although they live on land, they need a moist environment. They have a
similar appearance to, and are often confused with springtails. They are found on beaches where they
are called “beach fleas”, under ivy, leaf debris, mulch, decaying vegetation, and damp lawns. They
will also live in loose moist soils. Lawn Shrimp can migrate into houses and garages after heavy rains,
where they die and turn a bright red color. They can also clog pool filters.

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