Learn about Springtails

Bugs/ InvertebratesEarth and Soil
Written By Kim Manunui

Springtails are tiny little creatures living in damp, nutrient rich soils and underneath leaf litter. They help in the decomposition process of plants, fungi, and bacteria. Some species also feed on algae, pollen and animal dung.

They have a long tail-like structure called a furcula. When frightened they use this to ‘spring’ high up into the air to get away.

Learn more in this video:

Find springtails in a local green space:

Equipment needed:

  • A small white or clear container

  • A small shovel (or use your hands)

OPTIONAL:

  • A magnifying glass

Instructions:

  1. Head out into your garden or a local green space.

  2. Look for a patch of damp, dark brown/black soil under the leaf litter.

  3. Scrape away the top leaf litter.

  4. Use your shovel/hands to collect a small amount of the top layer of soil (top 5cm). Put this soil into your container)

  5. Watch closely! Is there anything moving in the soil? Springtails are tiny creatures that jump when they are frightened. The easiest ones to spot are white (see the pictures below). If you have a magnifying glass this might help, although you can spot them without!

  6. If you can’t find any, return your soil and put the leaves back on top.

  7. Repeat this process in a different area.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
Previous

Observe Bird Beaks
Next

Learn about Tardigrades