Springtail Wiki

Reading level

Changes how much detail each statement shows. Saved on this device.

Theme

Units

Stops animation and uses still drawings.

Trade name

Belted Springtail

Common name North America

Also written as: Giant Belted Springtail, Banded Springtail, Belted Springtails, Beltted Springtail

Sold as Belted Springtail. The most likely species is Orchesella cincta.

I bought this Open the key with this name selected. It starts from the species behind the name and asks what you can see.

What you probably have

These are the species the name may stand for. The order and the words show how sure we are.

  • Likely

    Orchesella cincta

    Sold as the hobby culture Belted

    The seller lists Orchesella cincta as the Belted Springtail and notes the common name Giant Belted Springtail. Anecdotal 1

If you sell or buy under this name

Tip Sell stock under a species name only after a microscope has confirmed it, and buy from sellers who can trace the stock back to a microscope identification. Anecdotal 1

What would settle it

  • How do the hobby *Orchesella* species differ in culture?

    Identification Open

    Why it matters. Orchesella flavescens, Orchesella cincta and Orchesella villosa are all hairy runners, and the Springtails US lists carry two of them. A comparison is needed to avoid mixing cultures.

    What would help. Scaled photographs of live adults of each species and the diagnostic characters from a modern key.

Sources

  1. 1

    Springtail Identification and Common Name Resource

    Pavy R. Springtails US

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at hobby name list, Orchesella cincta "Belted Springtail"; hobby name list, Tomocerus minor "Giant Runner Springtail".