[Pest Profile] Springtails

Springtails

Order/Family: Collembola/Various

Scientific Name: Various

Description

Springtails are very small, whitish-gray or light-colored insects, measuring 1/32- to 1/8-inch long. They have a bulbous "humpbacked" body, no wings, and a distinctive head with long antennae. Springtails get their name from a forked appendage attached to the end of the abdomen which can be bent under the body and, when released, helps the insect to "spring" forward, much like a flea.

Biology

A female scorpion does not lay eggs, but produces an average of 35 live nymphs per brood which she carries on her back for from seven to 30 days. The nymphs undergo an average of six molts over a period of several months to four years before reaching maturity. Adults live for one to six years.

Females lay eggs singly or in clusters in moist areas. The immature springtails undergo five to 10 molts before they become adults. The adult continues to molt up to 50 times throughout its life with no increase in size after the 15th molt. Developmental time requires two to three months, and, occasionally, as long as two years.

Habits

Springtails are always found in very moist situations. Outdoors, their populations can reach as many as 50,000 per cubic foot of soil. They are typically associated with leaf litter, mulch, firewood, landscape timbers, potted plants, railroad ties, etc. Nineteen different species of these insects have been found to invade homes and buildings, doing so when their living area becomes too dry and they need a moisture source. These insects feed on decaying organic matter, algae, and fungi. They are attracted to light. One species has been associated with itching skin of people who work in areas where large numbers of springtails are found.

Control

The best control for springtails is to eliminate the source of moisture that sustains them. Outdoors, they can be controlled by removing harborage areas and storing items off the ground. Drying out the insect’s surroundings eliminates the pest. Entry into buildings should be prevented by sealing and caulking gaps around siding, windows, doors, pipes, wires, etc. Pesticide applications may be necessary in areas where large numbers of insects have concentrated and modification of the environmental conditions is not practical. Microencapsulated and wettable powder products are the most effective formulations in the moist habitats preferred by springtails. These products should be applied around the perimeter of the structure, into harborage sites, and/or around potential entry points.

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Up Close

• 1/32-inch to 1/8-inch long

• Whitish-gray or light-colored

• Bulbous "humpbacked" body, no wings and a distinctive head with long antennae

• Forked appendage attached to the end of the abdomen

• Using the forked appendage they can "spring" forward, much like a flea

• Found in very moist situations

• Invade structures when their living area becomes too dry and they need moisture

• Feed on decaying organic matter, algae and fungi

• Attracted to light