Springtail Entomobrya nivalis + another

[JRsbugs]

Taken on two different days in diffferent locations. The first one on the Camellia leaf looks to have different marks, only got a good side pic. All around 2.5-3mm long.

Janet

[Jason Green]

Hi Janet, thanks for posting!

Unless someone more experienced can see something I can't, the last is almost definately an E. intermedia.

I anotated one of Bruce's pictures (Hope you don't mind, Bruce... ) of E. intermedia to show the key points I look for in ID'ing them...

19/3/09

E. intermedia anotation

I believe the inky mark I've highlighted in green should be entirely absent, clean and stainless even, in E. nivalis. If I'm right then I believe your second shot is E. intermedia.

This link is to Toby's PBase Gallery of E. nivalis... compare it to your second. Entomobrya nivalis photo - Toby photos at pbase.com

[JRsbugs]

Thanks Jason, did you mean the first one is Entomobrya intermedia? It checks out with the pic on pbase if that is correct.

The second and third look the same to me, I used the enlarged pic on Steve Hopkin's site to ID those two and it still looks correct to me.

Collembola Photos by Steve Hopkin

[JRsbugs]

I'm beginning to think they are all the same species, I'm finding pics of E. intermedia which appear to be correct and a mention of the 3 lines at the bottom, edges and cross line, have a gap between them. This pic on flickr is a juvenile instar, looks much like mine.

Springtail (Entomobrya intermedia - juvenile) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

So why does mine look like E. nivalis on Steve Hopkins site, I would think that is correct or am I misreading something? There's no pics of E. intermedia there.

[Jason Green]

I was referring to the fourth pic on the new line - I assumed it was the second species you spoke of, then realised it was probably my screensize seperating it

I'm not sure on the first, I can only ID them dorsally at the moment. Nice and clear though!

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

I'm beginning to think they are all the same species, I'm finding pics of E. intermedia

I agree - pretty sure all are E. intermedia. Have you seen E. nivalis before or not? Oh and by the way, it's always worth photographing E. intermedia - just in case...

[JRsbugs]

Jason, have you enlarged the pic on Steve Hopkin's site? There is a double "11" where you state it should be clear. The side marks near tail end on Bruce's pic also seem to curve, mine are straight. Very similar though!

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

I agree - pretty sure all are E. intermedia. Have you seen E. nivalis before or not? Oh and by the way, it's always worth photographing E. intermedia - just in case...

I haven't taken any notice of them before, haven't had the lens to capture them.

[JRsbugs]

Now I know why I thought they were different! There is a dark line (going from the side lines at the bottom) at the top going towards the middle in an upturned 'V' shape. Besides that the second (towards the middle) dark row along the sides looks too joined together instead of separate marks.

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Jason, have you enlarged the pic on Steve Hopkin's site? There is a double "11" where you state it should be clear.

I call them door handles! No, I'm talking about the bit within the green ring, that appears to join the two 1's or door handles in the direction of the head.

E. intermedia - double '11' apparent.

E. nivalis - double '11' entirely non-existant.

17/5/09

Cross-comparison...
Another anotation, showing Bruce's edited for highlighting E. nivalis' main keys and an inset of yours, pinpointing why I think it's E. intermedia with cross-comparisons

I hope it's of help!