Trade name

Entomobrya confusa

Historical label North America

Also written as: Entomobrya confussa, Entomobrya confusus

Sold as Entomobrya confusa. The most likely species is Entomobrya assuta.

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
Entomobrya assuta
Sold as the hobby culture Varicolored

The Varicolored stock was sold as Entomobrya confusa until 2026, when a collembologist read it as a patternless form of Entomobrya assuta. Anecdotal 1, 2
Unlikely
Entomobrya confusa
This species does not have a page yet.

The 2026 identification replaced this name for the Varicolored stock. Anecdotal 1

If you sell or buy under this name

Tip When an identification is tentative, write cf. before the species name and keep it until the match is confirmed. Anecdotal 1

What would settle it

Will the Varicolored culture be published as a form of *Entomobrya assuta* or as something else?

Taxonomy Needs a specialist

Why it matters. The label var. nov. marks an unpublished idea, not a name. Until it is published or dropped, the culture stays an Entomobrya assuta working identification.

What would help. A DNA barcode of the culture compared with wild Entomobrya assuta from Illinois, and a specialist note on whether the patternless form is a variety, a new species or a colour variant.

Sources

1

Major Springtail Hobby Identification Updates (2026)

Pavy R. 2026. Springtails US

Link works · Retailer

Cited at Entomobrya confusa Varicolored Springtail to Entomobrya assuta var. nov.; Isotomurus retardatus Green Water Springtail to Isotomurus cf. louisiana.
2

Springtail Identification and Common Name Resource

Pavy R. Springtails US

Link works · Retailer

Cited at hobby name list, Entomobrya assuta var. nov. "Varicolored Springtail".