Springtail is any of a group of tiny, six-legged animals, most of which can jump long distances to escape enemies. Springtails rank among the most abundant of all soil-dwelling creatures. Thousands of species (kinds) live throughout the world in various habitats, typically in moist soil and under fallen leaves.
Springtails can grow from 1/128 to 3/8 inch (0.2 to 10 millimeters) in length. Their wingless bodies vary widely in appearance. Some have a long, thin shape, but others are more rounded. All springtails possess a single pair of segmented antennae. Some types lack eyes, but most have clusters of primitive eyes called ocelli on each side of the head.
Springtails get their name from a taillike structure called a furcula, which is found in most species. The furcula is attached to the underside of the back of the abdomen. A springtail normally holds this structure in a tightly folded position. But when threatened, the animal releases its furcula, which snaps downward against the surface and flings the springtail through the air. Another body part, the collophore, is a tubelike structure under the front of the abdomen. The collophore probably serves many functions, such as regulating the amount of water in the body and helping the animal stick to smooth surfaces.
Larger springtails usually live near the surface of the soil. Smaller species survive more effectively in tiny spaces, so they often live deeper in the earth. These deep-dwelling species normally have short legs and antennae and often lack ocelli or a furcula. Most springtails scavenge for food. They usually eat decaying vegetation and soil fungi. Some types attack healthy plants, and they can cause damage to field crops or greenhouse plantings.
When mating, the male springtail deposits sperm in a location where a female will later collect it and use it to fertilize her eggs. Springtail nymphs (young) resemble the adults but are smaller.
