Collembola - Sminthurinus elegans

Moved

… Scott Justis, 15 February, 2009 - 12:16pm

Sminthurinus elegans

Indeed, Scott. You are becoming a true Sminthurinus expert!
S. elegans has typically 4 longitudinal bands + extra fine (but optional) middorsal band.

You have found an interesting population of Sminthurinus species!

… Frans Janssens, 15 February, 2009 - 11:51am

Now that I can actually find them!

I have to use a two layer magnifying glass just to locate them. This specimen was found right outside my woodworking shop.

… Scott Justis, 15 February, 2009 - 12:08pm

The next step?

If you find out who mates with whom we can figure out what the good species are.

There's a midge picture on BG that probably proves the suspicion that a particular species is just a lighter color form of a common species.

… John F. Carr, 14 February, 2009 - 5:11pm

I have yet..

to see any Collembola doing their mating rituals. I'm looking forward to getting a set of images of this.

… Scott Justis, 14 February, 2009 - 10:49pm

Remember...

that not all Collembola have mating rituals. Given Collembola have indirect sperm transfer in many species there is no mating ritual at all. On the other hand in the family Bourletiellidae one can observe really fascinating mating rituals in which the males are true passionate dancers! And in the family Sminthurididae, the males have specialised antennae with which they can grab a female at their choice ;-)

… Frans Janssens, 15 February, 2009 - 11:57am

Sminthurididae

The direct approach hmmm....but if the female is larger, she could just reject the male by hurling him off into the distance :^) :^O

Thanks for the ID confirmation and great information as always!

BTW- Two fine specimens of Sminthurinus similitortus are going in the mail to Dr. Snider hopefully on Tuesday.

… Scott Justis, 15 February, 2009 - 12:12pm