Trade name
Purple Springtail
Common name North America
Also written as: Purple Podura, Purple Springtails, Purple Springtale, Purpel Springtail
Sold as Purple Springtail. The most likely species is Ceratophysella isabellae.
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.
- Purple Springtail and Purple Podura were the old names of the stock now sold as Lilac.
- Purple Dust is another purple named culture of the same family. No source read for this site says whether it is related to the Lilac stock. Open question Which genus is the Purple Dust culture?
Where the name comes from
If you sell or buy under this name
What would settle it
-
Which genus is the Purple Dust culture?
Identification Needs a specialist
Why it matters. The culture is placed at family level only. Pigment must not drive a genus guess.
What would help. Slide-mounted adults examined for eyes, furca, setae and claws.
Sources
- 1
Springtail Identification and Common Name Resource
Pavy R. Springtails US
Link works · Retailer
Cited at hobby name list, Ceratophysella isabellae "Lilac"; Species plus common name changes, Ceratophysella sp "Purple Springtails" to "Lilac Springtails"; hobby name list, Poduromorpha sp "Tiny Blue Springtail".
- 2
Major Springtail Hobby Identification Updates (2026)
Pavy R. 2026. Springtails US
Link works · Retailer
Cited at Hypogastruridae sp. Tiny Blue Springtail to Xenylla grisea.