Species Podura aquatica - Water Springtail

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat

Springtails in my 'Fish' Tank - Podura aquatica

close up of springtails and babies - Podura aquatica

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Collembola (Springtails and allies)

Order Poduromorpha

Family Poduridae

Genus Podura

Species aquatica (Water Springtail)

Size

0.5-2.5 mm.

Identification

Although it can be confused at first with some other semi-aquatic hypogastrurids it can easily be distinguished by the very long arms or dentes of the pincerlike jumping organ or furca. Juveniles are orange; adults are bluish with reddish antennae and legs. [from comments by Frans Janssens]

Range

Europe, North America and Siberia

Habitat

Semi-aquatic. Often found floating on the surface of small bodies of standing water such as ponds, as well as on stream and pond banks.

Contributed by Chuck Entz on 27 March, 2006 - 11:26pm
Additional contributions by ceiseman, v belov
Last updated 17 January, 2011 - 11:59am

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