What’s this bug
Location: Subtropical Australia
September 4, 2011 1:49 am
This tiny bug (about 1mm long) appears in the thousands in my worm farm. Do you know what it is?
Signature: Many thanks, Julia
Springtails
Hi Julia,
You have Springtails, and according to BugGuide: “Springtails are ‘decomposers’ that thrive mostly on decaying organic matter, especially vegetable matter. They may also graze on spores of molds and mildews, especially indoors where there is a lack of other food sources.” As such, they are beneficial creatures. BugGuide also provides this interesting bit of information: “Springtails are probably the most abundant hexapods on Earth, with up to 250 million individuals per acre.”
Springtails
Many thanks, Daniel – I’ve been wondering about them for years! Good to know they’re beneficial!
Best regards,
Julia
Certain Springtails, like the species that live on top of swimming pools, can be a nuisance if they are really plentiful.
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Could these be found in showers? Lately I’ve been finding a couple of tiny white things that look like this underneath a bottle of shower power in the dry area & when I move the bottle they either wriggle along in the water or leap. I was terrified they were baby termites, but really hoping they are springtails.
The shower seems like it would be a logical place to find Springtails.
Thanks 🙂