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Springtails (Collembola)

Tropical Springtail (Folsomia candida & Seira spp.): Small white Central American species 0.5 - 4mm long, ideal for feeding to newly metamorphosed and small amphibians such as thumbnail Dendrobates species.

European Springtail (Tomocerus longicornis): Large black temperate species grows to 8mm, suitable for feeding to small species such as adult Dendrobates.

Culturing Springtails:

1: First you will need a number of small plastic pots with tight fitting lids such as margarine tubs, Tupperware or unventilated cricket tubs.

2: Fill the tubs to about 1/3 with a substrate of peat moss, and / or soil. This must be kept permanently moist, as if allowed to dry up the culture will die off.

3: On top of the substrate lay a sheet of damp paper towel this will act as a barrier between the food and the substrate making it easier to both remove the food and collect the Springtails.

4: Place a small amount of potato peelings, white bread or cereal in small clumps on top of the paper towel. Commercial Collembola food is available from some mail order specialists but can prove expensive. The foodstuff over time will begin to grow moulds and fungi this is what the Springtails feed on so do not remove the food just top up as necessary.

5: Seed the container with Springtails from your starter culture and close the lid firmly.

6: Store the culture in a dark area at a temperature of 20 - 25°C. If exposed to temperatures under 15°C the culture will become dormant and no Springtails will be produced and if exposed to temperatures above 30°C they will die off.

7: It is a good idea to have a number of cultures running at anyone time, and rotate their use as to avoid exhausting your cultures.

8: To use your Springtails just tip the pot slightly and shake the required number of Springtails into the vivarium.