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SPRINGTAIL SPRINGTAIL SPRINGTAIL SPRINGTAIL
FURCULA FURCULA

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- long 6.Thorax SPRINGTAIL 1.Antenna- long 6.Thorax SPRINGTAIL
2.Eyes 7.Petiole- none 2.Eyes 7.Petiole- none
3.Head 8.Abdomen- fork-like appendage at 8 3.Head 8.Abdomen- fork-like appendage at 8
4.Legs- 6 end of abdomen “furcula” 4.Legs- 6 end of abdomen “furcula”
5.Wings- none 9.Color- whitish gray 5.Wings- none 9.Color- whitish gray
10.Other- humpbacked 10.Other- humpbacked
Life Cycle Life Cycle
Eggs are widely scattered in soil, litter, sand, etc. They hatch in 4 Eggs are widely scattered in soil, litter, sand, etc. They hatch in 4
the late spring, and nymphs just look like tiny adults, maturing by the late spring, and nymphs just look like tiny adults, maturing by
late fall or early winter. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR late fall or early winter. Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

SPRINGTAILS Actual size 1/10” SPRINGTAILS Actual size 1/10”

Springtails are a very small insect resembling a flea, less than 1/10th inch in length. They 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 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 un- many as 50,000 per cubic foot. While they can infest buildings, they are usually found un-
der rocks (sometimes being called “rock lice”), compost piles, and around swimming pools. der rocks (sometimes being called “rock lice”), compost piles, and around swimming pools.
They will occasionally even be found in snow (where they are called “snow fleas”). They will occasionally 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 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 actu- infest a house, they will be found in bathrooms, kitchens, and damp basements. They actu-
ally do little or no damage to their environment. ally do little or no damage to their environment.

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