#springtail — Public Fediverse posts

So Smol!
This is a globular springtail, cave adapted, in Pygmarrhopalites but don't ask for species because I have no clue! But it *is* a lot of fun to say! I'll try to spell it out for you..."pig-mawf-fah-light-ees" uhm that's about the best I got, Give it a whirl! No accuracy promises implied :P

#springtail #springtails #Soil #ecology #invertebrates #Collembola

So Smol!
This is a globular springtail, cave adapted, in Pygmarrhopalites but don't ask for species because I have no clue! But it *is* a lot of fun to say! I'll try to spell it out for you..."pig-mawf-fah-light-ees" uhm that's about the best I got, Give it a whirl! No accuracy promises implied :P

#springtail #springtails #Soil #ecology #invertebrates #Collembola

So Smol!
This is a globular springtail, cave adapted, in Pygmarrhopalites but don't ask for species because I have no clue! But it *is* a lot of fun to say! I'll try to spell it out for you..."pig-mawf-fah-light-ees" uhm that's about the best I got, Give it a whirl! No accuracy promises implied :P

#springtail #springtails #Soil #ecology #invertebrates #Collembola

So Smol!
This is a globular springtail, cave adapted, in Pygmarrhopalites but don't ask for species because I have no clue! But it *is* a lot of fun to say! I'll try to spell it out for you..."pig-mawf-fah-light-ees" uhm that's about the best I got, Give it a whirl! No accuracy promises implied :P

#springtail #springtails #Soil #ecology #invertebrates #Collembola

@futurebird I love these cuties! Thank you for the link!

My first #springtail love came with the wonderful photos of @frankashwood and I'm already so curiously looking forward to his book 'The World Beneath Our Feet'.

#soil #soilLife #biodiversity

I love this youTube channel.
Watch:

* a #springtail eats a thin layer of orange goo from a translucent slime mold. (this sounds gross but it's beautiful)
* a small globular springtail dances for a larger one, they tap antennae
* Soft tiny springtails hide under larger bumpy springtails.
* a predatory springtail hunts
* a scary predatory mite
* a gummy bear come to life...

There is so much going on right under our feet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4prbyvzZNf0

Sometimes a moth is more than it seems.

I looked twice at this moth photo I was uploading to #iNaturalist. There was an orange spot on one wing. A parasitic mite?

No! It's a globular springtail!

I'm not sure if it hitched a ride into the moth light on this moth or came in on another insect.

springtail: https://inaturalist.nz/observations/341756456
moth: https://inaturalist.nz/observations/341756462

#phoresy #Collembola #Springtail #entomology #NZ

Sharing is caring! What's better than a meal with a friend?

#snail #springtail #fungi #fungiFriends #nature #naturephotography #macro #macrophotography #art #MastoArt #fediart #photography

#Springtail #Orchesella #cincta is up to 4 mm long, native to #Europe/Canada and is #herbivorous/ fungi-bacteriovorous, #living e.g.in dead plant tissue. Specimen below: on #deadwood with island-like #fungalgrowth, mites, e.g. #Linopodes, and i.a. #isopods.
G. Ernsting & J. A. Isaaks (2002) found the #dimorphic #gendersize with smaller males being due to growth inhibition by #spermatophore development.

© #StefanFWirth, #Berlin 2025

Ref
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2311.2002.00395.x

#Photos
© S.F. Wirth 2025

Like all arthropods, springtails need to shed their exoskeletons to grow - and I recently got very lucky to find a giant springtail that had just moulted!

I don't know if anyone's ever photographed this before!

#SoilEcology#SoilBiodiversity #Collembola #Entomology #Macrophotography #Springtail #Nature #NaturePhotography

Old photo but now with a completely different ID, Ptenothrix renateae, thanks to some kind people on iNaturalist. I read through the 1985 description of this species and am guessing it's the dorsal pattern that gives it away. #springtail #collembola #inaturalist #macro https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8360868

A little silver springtail, probably Lepidocyrtus.

#springtail #collembola #lepidocyrtus #arthropod #invertebrates #wildlife #wildlifephotography #macro #macrophotography #vancouver #britishcolumbia #canada

I never knew that a #springtail could have antennae like these! I just saw this little one over on tumbr and I'm amazed. This one is from the genus Temeritas, spotted in Japan.

It looks like a berry with two cat whiskers stuck in it. Amazing creature! #SpringtailSunday

@frankashwood looook!

(pics by pita_gooora, iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/155612427)

https://www.tumblr.com/patheticmosasaur1/762498983400701952/todays-invertebratetemeritas

A tiny Ptenothrix springtail hanging out in the frost.

#springtail #collembola #ptenothrix #arthropod #invertebrates #macro #macrophotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #inaturalist #vancouver #britishcolumbia #canada

Saw these springtails sheltering under a mushroom. By chance I noticed that they seem to be infected with a fungus as well. Each has a few threads emerging from it- on their backs, heads, and antennae.

I was shown some pics of springtails infected with a different sort of fungus (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/200707284)

Also, these springtails were still alive and moving (a bit, slowly). Maybe it's just a funky springtail hairdo?

#nature #naturephotography #macro #macrophotography #biology #springtail #fungi #FungiFriday #arthropods

This is great. He found several springtails. Jamie Spensley. An amazing photographer.

#Springtail #invertebrates #macrophotography

My First Macro Photography Walk Of 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft4olZ_T8PQ

@loren

A close-up of a clump of various mosses on the ground.
The close-up shows that there is a lot to see in the moss.
On the left you can see a grey cup-shaped part (podetium) of a hidden lichen, on the right a round brown fruiting body (apothecium) with a white rim from another hidden lichen.
And have you seen the many small dark springtails in the moss?

#lichensubscribe #Mosstodon #nature #closeup #springtail

Mein erster Kugelspringer. Ich bin so stolz auf mich, dass ich dieses winzige Lebewesen überhaupt entdeckt habe.
#photography #fotografie #kugelspringer #springtail #collembola

I think this is a female of the slender springtail species I showed yesterday, Entomobrya atrocincta, but grateful for corrections. Objects on left are mosquito eggs (Culex?). #springtail #mosquitoes #insects #entomology #arthropod #collembola #diptera #nature #MacroPhotography

#springtail #insects #leaflitter

I've been in New Zealand for three months now, and seen three of the five species of endemic Holacanthella 'Giant' springtails - not bad!

Let's hope the next two months bring the remaining two species to my camera 🤞

(In order: H. duospinosa, H. paucispinosa, H. spinosa)

#SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity #SoilFauna #Macrophotography #Collembola #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

I've been in New Zealand for three months now, and seen three of the five species of endemic Holacanthella 'Giant' springtails - not bad!

Let's hope the next two months bring the remaining two species to my camera 🤞

(In order: H. duospinosa, H. paucispinosa, H. spinosa)

#SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity #SoilFauna #Macrophotography #Collembola #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

I've been in New Zealand for three months now, and seen three of the five species of endemic Holacanthella 'Giant' springtails - not bad!

Let's hope the next two months bring the remaining two species to my camera 🤞

(In order: H. duospinosa, H. paucispinosa, H. spinosa)

#SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity #SoilFauna #Macrophotography #Collembola #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

I've been in New Zealand for three months now, and seen three of the five species of endemic Holacanthella 'Giant' springtails - not bad!

Let's hope the next two months bring the remaining two species to my camera 🤞

(In order: H. duospinosa, H. paucispinosa, H. spinosa)

#SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity #SoilFauna #Macrophotography #Collembola #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

I've been in New Zealand for three months now, and seen three of the five species of endemic Holacanthella 'Giant' springtails - not bad!

Let's hope the next two months bring the remaining two species to my camera 🤞

(In order: H. duospinosa, H. paucispinosa, H. spinosa)

#SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity #SoilFauna #Macrophotography #Collembola #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

I’m delighted to be the iNaturalist observation of the day and see giant springtails getting the attention they deserve!

#Collembola #iNaturalist #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology

I’m delighted to be the iNaturalist observation of the day and see giant springtails getting the attention they deserve!

#Collembola #iNaturalist #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology

I’m delighted to be the iNaturalist observation of the day and see giant springtails getting the attention they deserve!

#Collembola #iNaturalist #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology

I’m delighted to be the iNaturalist observation of the day and see giant springtails getting the attention they deserve!

#Collembola #iNaturalist #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology

I’m delighted to be the iNaturalist observation of the day and see giant springtails getting the attention they deserve!

#Collembola #iNaturalist #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer #SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology

Super #antifreeze in #cells: The ability to survive in ice and snow developed in #animals far earlier than we thought https://phys.org/news/2023-09-super-antifreeze-cells-ability-survive.html

Polyproline type II helical antifreeze #proteins are widespread in #Collembola and likely originated over 400 million years ago in the #Ordovician Period https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35983-y

"The #springtail might have been the first #animal to ever develop #AntifreezeProteins."

Super #antifreeze in #cells: The ability to survive in ice and snow developed in #animals far earlier than we thought https://phys.org/news/2023-09-super-antifreeze-cells-ability-survive.html

Polyproline type II helical antifreeze #proteins are widespread in #Collembola and likely originated over 400 million years ago in the #Ordovician Period https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35983-y

"The #springtail might have been the first #animal to ever develop #AntifreezeProteins."

Super #antifreeze in #cells: The ability to survive in ice and snow developed in #animals far earlier than we thought https://phys.org/news/2023-09-super-antifreeze-cells-ability-survive.html

Polyproline type II helical antifreeze #proteins are widespread in #Collembola and likely originated over 400 million years ago in the #Ordovician Period https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35983-y

"The #springtail might have been the first #animal to ever develop #AntifreezeProteins."

Super #antifreeze in #cells: The ability to survive in ice and snow developed in #animals far earlier than we thought https://phys.org/news/2023-09-super-antifreeze-cells-ability-survive.html

Polyproline type II helical antifreeze #proteins are widespread in #Collembola and likely originated over 400 million years ago in the #Ordovician Period https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35983-y

"The #springtail might have been the first #animal to ever develop #AntifreezeProteins."

Super #antifreeze in #cells: The ability to survive in ice and snow developed in #animals far earlier than we thought https://phys.org/news/2023-09-super-antifreeze-cells-ability-survive.html

Polyproline type II helical antifreeze #proteins are widespread in #Collembola and likely originated over 400 million years ago in the #Ordovician Period https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35983-y

"The #springtail might have been the first #animal to ever develop #AntifreezeProteins."

It turns out that you can travel to the other side of the world and Neanura muscorum are still gonna be right there with you, in all their cuteness.

#Macrophotography #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Springtail #Collembola #Mesofauna

Check out the amazing scales on this springtail!

Did you know, springtail scales such as these used to be prized test subjects to assess the optical quality of early microscopes?

(Species: Lepidocyrtus sp., possibly submontanus)

#SoilBiodiversity #SoilFauna #SoilEcology #Macrophotography #Springtail #Collembola

One springtail, but how many mites are with it?

Comment below, I 'mite' reward a random winner....

#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Collembola #Macrophotography #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

One springtail, but how many mites are with it?

Comment below, I 'mite' reward a random winner....

#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Collembola #Macrophotography #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

One springtail, but how many mites are with it?

Comment below, I 'mite' reward a random winner....

#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Collembola #Macrophotography #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

One springtail, but how many mites are with it?

Comment below, I 'mite' reward a random winner....

#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Collembola #Macrophotography #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

One springtail, but how many mites are with it?

Comment below, I 'mite' reward a random winner....

#SoilBiodiversity #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Collembola #Macrophotography #Springtail #HotSpringtailSummer

It's #SpringtailSunday, which means you get to enjoy the adorableness (yes that's definitely a word) of this Calvatomina superba. Such a beautiful creature!

#Macrophotography #Collembola #Springtail #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #SoilBiodiversity

Another stunning springtail (check out the setose ventral tube!) from Port Hills in Christchurch (Entomobryoidea, possibly family Paronellidae).

Does anyone know of a modern ID key to Collembola in New Zealand?

I can't find a contemporary key, so I've started writing one... help?!

#Macrophotography #Springtail #Collembola #Mesofauna #SoilEcology #SoilFauna

My first macrophotography venture in New Zealand was extremely productive, starting with this absolutely STUNNING Dicyrtomidae springtail, known as Calvatomina superba.

Just look at that patterning and those orange eye plates!

#Macrophotography #Collembola #Springtail #SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Mesofauna

I was out on a coastal hike on Banks Peninsula / Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū today, and found this amazing Katiannidae species of springtail. I can’t find a species match (REALLY wish I’d had my macro camera with me), any ideas on an ID, springtail folks?

#Collembola #Springtail #Mesofauna #SoilEcology #SoilBiodiversity

Don't mind me, I'm just doing my bit for #HotSpringtailSummer up in the Northern Hemisphere.

#SoilEcology #SoilFauna #Mesofauna #Collembola #Springtail #Macrophotography

The distinctive ground beetle genus Notiophilus are also known as 'springtail stalkers', as they're the last thing many springtails and other small invertebrates ever see!

#Entomology #Coleoptera #Macrophotography #SoilEcology #Beetles #Springtail #MacroFauna

Sometimes with macrophotography things just line up perfectly, as with this photo of a globular springtail (a female Stenacidia violacea) on some moss.

Have a great weekend everyone!

#SoilBiodiversity #SoilFauna #SoilBiota #Collembola #Springtail #SpringtailSaturday #Macrophotography #Mesofauna

Sometimes with macrophotography things just line up perfectly, as with this photo of a globular springtail (a female Stenacidia violacea) on some moss.

Have a great weekend everyone!

#SoilBiodiversity #SoilFauna #SoilBiota #Collembola #Springtail #SpringtailSaturday #Macrophotography #Mesofauna