Springtails - Vertagopus arboreus

Moved

Moved from Springtails and allies.

… James Bailey, 6 March, 2017 - 10:38am

Vertagopus arboreus

+ male Sminthurididae.

… Frans Janssens, 6 March, 2017 - 10:35am

Thanks for this!

That Sminthuridae looked so strange to me compared to others I had seen.

… James Bailey, 6 March, 2017 - 10:38am

Note

It is not Sminthuridae but Sminthurididae.
The males of Sminthurididae have strongly modified grasping antennae with which the males grasp the bases of the antennae of a subadult female. They stick together until the subadult female moults to become an adult reproductive female. And then, I'm sure, that you know what happens next ;-)

… Frans Janssens, 6 March, 2017 - 1:05pm

Thanks Frans

So there is another family with a very similar name. Shows my ignorance of springtails :)

These are in the background of almost every photo I took at this spot. Some closer looking in shape to Sminthurinus. All quite distinctly purple in colour. I love how springtails just don't care what colours are common or rare in nature -- they show them all either way!

… James Bailey, 6 March, 2017 - 7:49pm