Strange Jumping Insect !

[Beekeeper]

At the top of my garden is a pile of wood which i am slowly getting through by using for lighting the fire, however, some of it at ground level has rotted away.

Clearing a small patch of ground a couple of months ago i noticed some insects living beneath the rotton debris.

These things are quite tiny, probably around 15 milimetres in length and as soon as they are uncovered they jump into the air and then quickly burrow into the soft ground making a photograph impossible.
When i first uncovered them probably 10-15 were all jumping together, quite a sight for such a small insect.

I just wonderd if anyone could hazard a guess as to what they are out of curiosity.

Ian

[Ferret]

Sounds like Springtails to me, can’t think of anything else that jumps like that, I don't know much about them so couldn’t even hazard a guess at which species. I sure someone with more knowledge may be able to get a bit closer from the size, habitat and behaviour, especially if you can give a little more detail such as colour and general shape etc.

Ferret

[Beekeeper]

Hi Ferret, thanks for reply, they are like a small caterpiller and fairly dark in colour, thats really all i can add to the description as they move so quickly and burrow in seconds.

Ian

[JRsbugs]

Hi Ian,

Did you mean 1.5mm?

It does sound like springtails, there's a lot of species and they do like damp places. Some live on water or go for a 'dip' that is float around on the surface, others live under leaves, dead wood etc.

Every day now I am having a lot of fun taking pics of them on water on top of water barrels, they play with each other although they are different species! Some are babies, less than 0.5mm, others up to 2mm or more but generally around the 0.5 to 2mm mark.

Check some out here... click on the family links to get more pics.

Checklist of the Collembola of the World

British species list with more info..

Collembola of Britain and Ireland

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by JRsbugs

Hi Ian,

Did you mean 1.5mm?

It does sound like springtails, there's a lot of species and they do like damp places. Some live on water or go for a 'dip' that is float around on the surface, others live under leaves, dead wood etc.

Every day now I am having a lot of fun taking pics of them on water on top of water barrels, they play with each other although they are different species! Some are babies, less than 0.5mm, others up to 2mm or more but generally around the 0.5 to 2mm mark.

Check some out here... click on the family links to get more pics.

Checklist of the Collembola of the World

British species list with more info..

Collembola of Britain and Ireland

Hmm, 1.5 mm is what i meant to write JRsbugs, not very good with all this metric stuff !!

I have no idea just how anyone could capture a picture of one, as soon as i move whatever is covering them up they hop about then burrow out of sight so quickly, i have found it impossible to even press the shutter before thay have vanished, strnage little creatures but interesting just the same.

Have looked at the links you have provided but need to refresh my memory of the blurred visions that pass before my eyes before they vanish, hopefully i will be able to confirm or otherwise if indeed they are Springtails.

Thanks for your help once again.

Ian

[Toby]

'they are like a small caterpillar' - that suggests they are elongated rather than globular but elongated springtails in my experience do very little jumping on being exposed like you describe so I would keep an open mind on this one. Lawn Shrimps would act like this but not sure if they are to be found in log piles.

http://www.pbase.com/image/69205477

probably too big with adults about 5mm

[Beekeeper]

Hi Toby, thanks for your input, when disturbed, these things can jump probably a couple of inches into the air which for their size makes them quite athletic.

I will have to have another look and try to get some pictures as these things intrigue me, the last time i looked in the place they were inhabiting they had dissapeared, probably deeper into the wood pile due to me distrubing the ground.

Ian