Springtails are tiny arthropods belonging to the class Collembola, found in nearly every terrestrial ecosystem worldwide. They thrive in environments rich with moisture and organic matter. People seek to catch them for various reasons, including monitoring potential pest populations, collecting them as food for pets, or for biological study. Understanding effective collection methods allows for targeted capture, whether the goal is removal or establishing a stable culture.
Identifying Springtail Habitats
Successful capture requires pinpointing the correct environment, as springtails depend on high moisture and decaying organic matter. They concentrate in the upper layers of damp soil and beneath dense leaf litter where fungi and bacteria thrive. Decaying wood, such as logs or stumps that retain moisture, provides both shelter and a reliable food source.
Indoors, their presence correlates with pockets of high humidity, such as overwatered potted plants or near plumbing leaks. Conditions under a kitchen sink or in a damp basement corner mimic their natural environment, allowing populations to establish. Locating these damp, organically rich areas is the necessary first step before deploying any collection method.
Simple Passive Trapping Methods
Passive traps rely on luring springtails or letting them fall into a collection vessel. Pitfall traps are created by sinking a small jar or cup into the soil so the rim is level with the ground surface. Springtails moving across the substrate fall into the container, which can be partially filled with water and a drop of detergent to break surface tension.
Simple starch baits provide an attractive food source that concentrates individuals for easy collection. Placing a thin slice of raw potato or apple, cut-side down, onto the soil surface is a common bait. Springtails are drawn to the decaying starch and can be collected from the underside after a few hours or overnight. Dry baker’s yeast sprinkled lightly onto the soil also functions as an effective attractant.
For collecting springtails from a small soil sample, a gentle flotation technique can be employed. Place the sample into a container and slowly add water until the soil is saturated and the water level rises. Many species will float on the surface and can then be carefully skimmed off with a fine brush or pipette. This method quickly separates specimens from the substrate.
Active Collection and Soil Extraction Techniques
When large numbers of springtails are needed, or when they are deeply embedded in dense substrates, active extraction techniques are used. The most efficient method for extracting microarthropods from soil and litter samples is the Berlese-Tullgren funnel, which uses environmental stress to force the animals out. This apparatus places the substrate sample on a mesh screen inside a funnel, with a light and heat source positioned above.
The light and heat gradually dry out the organic matter from the top down, driving the moisture-dependent springtails deeper. The arthropods are forced to migrate downwards, falling through the mesh into a collection jar at the bottom. A simple, DIY version can be constructed using a plastic bottle or a large funnel with a standard desk lamp positioned above the sample. This technique concentrates specimens over several days.
For collecting individuals directly from surfaces, manual methods offer precision. A soft, fine-tipped artist’s brush can gently sweep springtails into a container without harm. An aspirator, sometimes called a pooter, uses gentle suction to draw small insects into a collection chamber. The aspirator allows for rapid, targeted collection of dozens of individuals without requiring direct physical contact. These active techniques are preferred when the goal is to establish a large, healthy culture.
Handling and Maintaining Collected Specimens
Once collected, proper handling ensures the specimens remain viable for immediate study or for establishing a live culture. Transport containers should be small, well-ventilated, and contain damp substrate from the original collection site to maintain high humidity. Springtails desiccate quickly, so ensuring the environment remains moist is paramount during the transfer process.
For long-term observation or use as pet food, establishing a culture is straightforward. It requires a simple container with a substrate like charcoal, coco coir, or plaster of Paris. The container must maintain high humidity, often achieved with a sealed lid that has small air holes for ventilation. A small, constant food source, such as uncooked rice grains or dry yeast powder, will sustain the colony indefinitely.
If the intent is taxonomic identification or preservation, specimens should be placed into a solution of 70-80% ethanol immediately after capture. This alcohol solution preserves the delicate structures necessary for scientific examination. Live cultures should be checked regularly to ensure the substrate is damp but not waterlogged, preventing the growth of harmful molds or anaerobic conditions.