Jumping white insects

mbitton

AC Members
Jan 18, 2005
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There are a bunch of very small white things jumping around on the top of the water in my tank. They are white and look fuzzy like a spider. Anyone know where i can get any info on these things?
 
They're springtails; I've had them in my tanks as well. Springtails are small wingless insects of the order Collembolla; some species may attain 6 mm of length, though most species are considerably more diminutive. Collembollids are extremely widespread, and may be found in soil, decaying vegetable matter, beneath tree bark, in ant and termite colonies (generally as commensals), and on the surface of fresh water (where they exploit tension to clamber about the surface, employing their furculas to the effect of a titular "spring"). Approximately 1,500 springtail species are in existence, some of which, unusually for inscects, may be found far out to sea.

Springtails have retractable, mandibulate mouthparts and, while they lack insect-style compound eyes, simple eyes may be possessed. The abdomen is divided into six segments, customarily entailing three pairs of appendages, the most important of which being the forked springing organ (furcula) of the fourth segment. Lacking a tracheal system, springtails respire through the cuticle and thus usually inhabit moist situations.

An excerpt from http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/trees/ef420.htm follows:

Springtails are tiny wingless insects with distinctive heads and a hump-backed appearance. Their name comes from a forked structure attached to the underside of the abdomen which acts a spring to flip them into the air. This behavior gives them the appearance of tiny fleas. Other than being a nuisance, these unique little creatures pose no threat.

Most springtails live in rich soil or leaf litter, under bark or decaying wood, or associated with fungi. Many are scavengers, feeding on decaying plants, fungi, molds, or algae. Springtails become abundant among wet leaves, soil, and plant material along a house foundations or sidewalks where they can be a temporary annoyance. One white species lives on the surface of ponds and streams can be found in drinking water from cisterns or wells. They also can occur around floor drains, in damp basements, and crawl spaces. Masses of these insects can be swept up and discarded.

Plants grown in homes and greenhouses sometimes become infested as a result of heavy breeding in the moist soil. Allowing the soil to dry out will usually eliminate them. Some species, such as the garden springtail can be found on field crops and vegetables, but they rarely cause enough damage to warrant control measures.

An article concerning their potential as life food within aquaria can be found here (the images will not necessarily correspond to the outward appearance of the species you are describing).
 
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