These very small, leaping insects do not bite humans, spread disease, nor damage household furnishings. They are usually a nuisance by their presence. Colors vary from white, gray, yellow, orange, metallic green, lavender to red with some being patterned or mottled. When disturbed, this appendage functions as a spring, propelling them into the air away from the danger source. Young resemble adults except for size and color.
Eggs are spherical.
Life Cycle and Habits Springtails occur in nearly every climatic condition throughout the world, such as in high mountain regions, pools, streams, snow-covered fields, forest floors, etc. They live in the soil, in leaf mold, under bark, in decaying logs, on the surface of freshwater pools, in organic mulches, in termite nests, in snow, in greenhouses, in mushroom cellars, etc. Populations are often high, up to 100,000 per cubic meter of surface soil, or many millions per acre. Most feed on algae, fungi, and decaying vegetable matter, and they are abundant only in damp, moist or very humid locations. Others feed on plant roots or nibble on young plant leaves and germinating seeds in hotbeds.