springtail

Small wingless insect. The maximum size is 6 mm/0.2 in in length. Springtails are extremely widespread and can be found in soil, decaying vegetable matter, under the bark of trees, in ant and termite nests, and on the surface of fresh water. There are about 1,500 species of springtail and some species are, unusually for insects, marine.

Springtails have mandibulate mouthparts (adapted for chewing), which are withdrawn into the head when not in use. They do not have compound eyes, but simple eyes may be present. The antennae are usually four-segmented, and the abdomen is six-segmented with, usually, three pairs of appendages, the most important being the forked springing organ attached to the under surface of segment number four. There is, usually, no tracheal (respiratory tube) system and the insects breathe through the cuticle. They usually, therefore, inhabit moist situations.

Classification