~1 mm in size. A large number of springtails (black pepper looking specks) were floating and jumping on the surface of a bucket of water on a cloudy day after a night of rain. The last antennae segments were longer than the one before, antennae were dark except for the first antennae segments which appeared pale in color. There were various sizes and colorations although the largest appeared all black (are actually blue according to an expert) with white spots on the head and light color legs. AI is "pretty sure" these are Sminthurinus. BugGuide editor, Frans Janssens stated, "The small one reminds me of S. elegans forma ornatus." He also shared, " the large blue one could be S. atrapallidus.
And the smaller striped ones are a different kind of species of Sminthurinus."
many on surface of water - observation is for species seen in first shot
~1 mm in size. A large number of springtails (black pepper looking specks) were floating and jumping on the surface of a bucket of water on a cloudy day after a night of rain. The last antennae segments were longer than the one before, antennae were dark except for the first antennae segments which appeared pale in color. There were various sizes and colorations although the largest appeared all black (are actually blue according to an expert) with white spots on the head and light color legs. AI is "pretty sure" these are Sminthurinus. BugGuide editor, Frans Janssens stated, "The small one reminds me of S. elegans forma ornatus." He also shared, " the large blue one could be S. atrapallidus.
And the smaller striped ones are a different kind of species of Sminthurinus."
Smallest globular springtails i've ever seen
Wouldn't have noticed if they didn't walk into frame while I was observing ants.
On White-fingered Slime Mold (Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa) on a heavily-decayed, hardwood log. The only individual noted.
Habitat: mature, closed-canopy, hardwood forest.
~1 mm. Was resting and jumping on the surface of water in a bucket. Gold with a pattern of four dark lengthwise bands on the abdomen. Perhaps S. elegans?
On Rhododendron "Wine and Roses" hybrid leaf.