CAn anyone ID this springtail?

Toby · #1 (**permalink**) 17-01-2011, 10:22 PM

Wisley common, Jan 16. On a Silver birch log. About 2.5 mm

Doesn't have a dark band running along its back like Isotomurus palustris or I. unifasciatus.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 17-01-2011, 10:53 PM

Evening Tobes,

I suppose it could be Orchasella flavescens, scarce (vastly under-recorded I'd say). You have a Flickr account, don't you? Tag this photograph with I think 'Collembola' and Frans Jannsens should identify it for you (if not you may be able to track-down his email on Collembola.org).

Update us in due course, please!

Take care,

Jason

Toby · #3 (**permalink**) 18-01-2011, 08:18 AM

Frans seems to be inactive recently on the forums, maybe he got overwhelmed by the sheer number of Springtail photos in this digital age?
Steve Hopkins site seems to have gone now as well. I know he died in 2006 but I had thought the website would be continued.
I suspect this is a juvenile without its full coloration but still unsure which species, haven't found an image of a juvenile O. flavescens, adult is much darker.

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 18-01-2011, 11:31 AM

Try here: Collembola Photos by Steve Hopkin - still there! This in my limited experience is the main Springtail season so I imagine he's busy with field-work.

Toby · #5 (**permalink**) 19-01-2011, 03:20 PM

e mailed Frans who is busy moving house, anyway turns out you were spot on ie Orchesella flavescens juvenile, clever you!

A new species for me which brings my tally up to 46.

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 19-01-2011, 05:10 PM

46? Great stuff! Mine is at I believe - 9. Oops!

I assume you've forwarded these records to GiGL for the London ones, and elsewhere where relevant? This group can do with all the surveying it can get