Larva for ID

Toby · #1 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 04:57 PM

expert assures me this is not a Springtail:

found on post in SW London

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 05:10 PM

What about a proturan? Don't ask me, I know nothing about the Protura except that they're small and look a bit like this!

Except that they don't have antennae ....

I would have gone for one of the poduroid Collembola except for your expert opinion and the fact that it has too many abdominal segments.

Shall be interested to learn! Nice pic ....

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 08:26 PM

It Is a springtail from the Hypogastruridae Family.

Hm actually not 100% but it is a species of Collembola. Not a larva, so would have to be a nymph, which it isnt.

Nice shot too.

Toby · #4 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

It Is a springtail from the Hypogastruridae Family.

Hm actually not 100% but it is a species of Collembola. Not a larva, so would have to be a nymph, which it isnt.

Nice shot too.

Well the guy who runs this site says it isn't and I would think he knows his stuff, he ID's springtails for a lot of people:

http://www.geocities.com/fransjansse...a/collembo.htm

it may help to know its only about 1mm in length. Springtails have 5 abdominal segments though they may appear merged together..

Dogghound · #5 (**permalink**) 13-12-2007, 09:18 AM

Amazed its not a springtail. There are not many insects without wings, and of that size. I just carnt see anything else that looks remotely like it. Even Psocoptera nymphs are unlike that.

Toby · #6 (**permalink**) 13-12-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Amazed its not a springtail. There are not many insects without wings, and of that size. I just carnt see anything else that looks remotely like it. Even Psocoptera nymphs are unlike that.

Psocids i'm familiar with and as you say nothing like this. I must say I thought it was a colombella but hopefully all will be revealed.

ladyhawk · #7 (**permalink**) 13-12-2007, 07:33 PM

this little beastie is what we call thrips,roughly about 158 species in britain and a gardener hate

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 13-12-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyhawk

this little beastie is what we call thrips,roughly about 158 species in britain and a gardener hate

Thysanoptera crossed my mind, looks abit like a 1st instar nymph. Although still not 100% sure it is. At that age they are almost always found on foliage due to the lack of wings they dont move far, before shedding their skin and becoming a 2nd instar nymph which looks quite different. Although if its not a springtail suppose theres little else it can be.