Are these (and the pink ones) likely to be indigenous species, or is it impossible to tell? Given BG's mission and coverage area, do you have an opinion as to whether or not these should be kept or frassed? Personally, I would lean toward frassing.

Due to global warming many 'tropical' species are able to survive in non-tropical regions. Assuming they may escape from the cultures and survive locally, they may become established introduced species in the (near?) future. Therefore, it would be nice to know where the cultures are located currently.

BTW, although several Collembola species are commercially sold as frog food, they are not that suitable given most Collembola often 'taste badly' due to chemicals in their blood that make them kind of poisonous to predators.

That's interesting frans. It doesn't seem to phase them at all. They have been a staple in the dart frog hobby for feeding smaller/ baby frogs as well as micro fauna for the enclosures to break down leaf litter and waste. There are people all over the US culturing these so the chances of them showing up are good.

I will update the site info with my location. I can post more pictures of the pinks if it will help you identify better. Just tell me what you need.

-Alan

For breaking down leaf litter in the frog enclosures Collembola can play an important role, indeed. As frog food possibly the juvenile instars may be of use. Adults, probably, are to be avoided. Also the nutrience value for frogs of adult Collembola is doubthfull. Too many waste contents... especially the scaled species, such as these Lepidocyrtinae. And Collembola store metabolic waste products (such as urate crystals) in the fat tissue. The reason why Collembola often are offered as frog food probably is related to the easy culturing of parthenogenetic Collembola species.

Wrt the pink tropical Collembola: do you have any shots showing eyes? Do they show any iridisation?

Thanks for the warm welcome! I have lots of springtails to get identified!