springtails
Tiny leaping arthropods
Springtails are tiny wingless insects, usually under a few millimeters long, found in soil, leaf litter, and other moist environments worldwide.
They're named for a forked appendage on the underside that lets them leap when disturbed.
Springtails are among the most abundant land animals on earth, feeding on decaying plant matter and fungi.
Six-legged arthropod
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- segmentedDivided into sections
setae · ocelli · cuticle · abdomen · thorax · molting · nymph · mouthparts
Six-legged arthropod
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- setaeStiff hairlike structures
arthropod · invertebrate · segmented · eyespots · cuticle · appendages
Organism breaking down corpses
- detritivoreEats dead organic material
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- detritusLoose waste from decay
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
microfauna · topsoil · earthworms · microbiome · substrate · humification · mineralization · mites
Ground matter for planting
- compostDecayed organic fertilizer
- mossSpore-bearing ground cover
- lichenSymbiotic rock dweller
- barkSharp canine vocalization
cave · snowfield · tidepool · mushroom · damp · humidity · moisture · substrate
Eats dead organic material
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- microhabitatSmall distinct living area
biodiversity · saprophyte · trophic · symbiosis · endemic · keystone · niches · population
Too small for eyes
- tinyExtremely small in size
- minusculeExtremely small in size
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- millimeterThousandth of a meter
cryptic · inconspicuous · unseen · overlooked
Present in all places
- countlessToo numerous to count
- teemingAbundantly full of
- numerousExisting in great quantity
- prolificProducing abundantly and often
swarming · widespread · dense · populations · aggregations · colonies · prevalent · myriad
Extremely small in size
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- millimeterThousandth of a meter
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- microscopeInstrument for viewing minute objects
specimen · identification · taxonomy · morphology · microfauna · counting · extraction · laboratory
Sudden springing movement
- catapultSiege engine for launching
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- bounceSpring back after impact
- hopSmall, quick jump
hexapod
Six-legged arthropod
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
segmented · setae · ocelli · cuticle · abdomen · thorax · molting · nymph · mouthparts · integument
hexapod
Six-legged arthropod
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
setae · arthropod · invertebrate · segmented · eyespots · cuticle · appendages
decomposer
Organism breaking down corpses
- detritivoreEats dead organic material
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
- detritusLoose waste from decay
fungi · microfauna · topsoil · earthworms · microbiome · substrate · humification · mineralization · mites · nematodes
soil
Ground matter for planting
bark · cave · snowfield · tidepool · mushroom · damp · humidity · moisture · substrate · understory
detritivore
Eats dead organic material
- decomposerOrganism breaking down corpses
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- humusDecayed organic soil matter
microhabitat · biodiversity · saprophyte · trophic · symbiosis · endemic · keystone · niches · population · adaptation
microscopic
Too small for eyes
millimeter · cryptic · inconspicuous · unseen · overlooked
ubiquitous
Present in all places
prolific · swarming · widespread · dense · populations · aggregations · colonies · prevalent · myriad
tiny
Extremely small in size
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
- millimeterThousandth of a meter
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
microscope · specimen · identification · taxonomy · morphology · microfauna · counting · extraction · laboratory · survey
leap
Sudden springing movement
- catapultSiege engine for launching
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- bounceSpring back after impact
hop · dart · recoil · launch · flick · snap · bound · dispersal
leap
Sudden springing movement
catapult · propulsion · bounce · jump · flick · launch · evasion · recoil · snap · tumble
- arthropodsarthropod, arthropods, Arthropoda, insects, insect
- Amber Inclusionsinclusions, insects, ants, beetles, flies
- decomposersfungi, decomposers, decomposer, mushrooms, earthworms
- detritivoresearthworms, millipedes, woodlice, pill bugs, sowbugs
- reptile keepingterrarium, terrariums, vivarium, vivariums, enclosure
- Soil Lifeearthworm, earthworms, nightcrawler, nematodes, soil bacteria
springtailsbeetles
Hard-winged insects
flies · winged insects · ants · insects · butterflies
springtailsearthworms
Soil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
moles · macrofauna · millipedes · centipedes · megafauna