Trade name

Malaysian Silver Scaly Springtail

Common name North America

Also written as: Kota Kinabalu, Kota Kinabalu Springtail, Malaysian Silver Scaley Springtail, Malaysian Silver Scaly

Sold as Malaysian Silver Scaly Springtail. The most likely species is Willowsia.

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
Willowsia
A group of species, not one species.

The seller lists cf. Willowsia sp. as Kota Kinabalu or the Malaysian Silver Scaly Springtail. The cf. means even the genus is tentative. Anecdotal 1

Where the name comes from

The seller says it has not been sold under another name. 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 2

What would settle it

Which species is this culture, checked by a specialist?

Identification Needs a voucher specimen

Why it matters. Hobby cultures are mostly named from a seller's label or a photograph. A wrong name spreads from seller to keeper and then into care advice.

What would help. Preserved vouchers from the culture in 80 to 95 percent ethanol, mounted specimens examined by a springtail specialist, and a DNA barcode where a reference exists. Deposit the voucher with a museum or a university collection.

Sources

1

Springtail Identification and Common Name Resource

Pavy R. Springtails US

Link works · Retailer

Cited at hobby name list, cf. Willowsia sp "Kota Kinabalu".
2

Major Springtail Hobby Identification Updates (2026)

Pavy R. 2026. Springtails US

Link works · Retailer

Cited at Isotomurus retardatus Green Water Springtail to Isotomurus cf. louisiana.