University of Michigan Biological Station

Biology 442 - Biology of Insects

Lecture Notes - Families of Collembola

1. General characteristics of springtails
   1. Furcula (on 4th segment) fastens into retinaculum (on 3rd segment) - can jump 75 to 100mm
   2. Small eyes (up to 8 facets) or none
   3. collophore (on 1st segment) for water uptake
   4. Feed on variety of materials (all small), some carnivores, some herbivores, some have stylet mouthparts for fluid feeding, many feed on decaying materials and fungi
2. Hypogastruridae
   1. 1-2 mm, plump, but not rounded
   2. Prothorax visible from above.
   3. Short appendages, sometimes without furcula
   4. includes snow fleas and seashore springtail
3. Isotomidae
   1. elongate and thin
   2. Prothorax not visible from above
   3. appendages of medium length
   4. 3rd and 4th segments of abdomen about same length along mid-dorsal line
   5. Body not scaly
   6. Many common soil species
4. Entomobryidae
   1. elongate and thin - sometimes quite large
   2. Prothorax not visible from above
   3. appendages usually long
   4. 4th segment about twice as long as 3rd along mid-dorsal line
   5. Body sometimes scaly
   6. Common in soil and leaf litter, also on fungi
5. Sminthuridae
   1. rounded body shape - may be small or large
   2. well developed furcula and active jumpers
   3. Occur in soil, on plants, on fungi, on water

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