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Photo#103346
Globular Springtail - Pseudobourletiella spinata

Globular Springtail - Pseudobourletiella spinata
Montréal, Quebec, Canada
July 23, 2006
In a field, among weeds.

Moved

Pseudobourletiella spinata
A juvenile specimen.
Note the convex thoracic segment anteriorly at the great abdomen.
Note also, inbetween the first 2 legs, the paddlelike modified mucrones (tips) of the furca. The mucrones are very broad to prevent the furca from penetrating the water surface film when jumping. The convex thoracic segment can also be recognised in your 2 other pictures of adult specimens. If you have any more pictures of this peculiar species, look for dark adults with light dorsum. In P. spinata, males and females have a different dorsal colour pattern (sexual dimorphism). The yellowish oval patch anteriorly is present in both sexes. In males the rest of the dorsum is dark. In females there is a triangular shaped light patch, broad anteriorly, pointed posteriorly.

 
Paddlelike mucrones
Based on your explanations I have found another picture of the previously posted Pseudobourletiella spinata, but showing the paddlelike mucrones. See here. Fascinating! I do not have more pictures of this species but I’ll check them this summer. Your detailed explanations raised my interest for springtails. Thanks!

Bourletiellidae or Sminthuridae
Given the long annulated 4th antennal segment.
A dark Bourletiella arvalis or a juvenile Sminthurus viridis?
Do you have any idea about the size of this specimen?

 
Size of specimen
No, unfortunately, I don't have the size of this specimen.

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