They spring into the air with any disturbance of the water and sometimes look like flying spray. Podurid' springtails mate on the surface of the water or damp ground. Globular' springtail males have hooks at the bend of each antenna. The male uses the hook to grasp the antennae of a female.
Females are larger.
Males are carried on the female's back until she is ready to lay her eggs. Both types of springtails lay their eggs in damp vegetation. Very tiny nymphs, that look much like the adults, hatch from the eggs. The nymphs molt or shed their skins several times before they develop into adults. Springtails, as a group, are the most abundant insects on earth.