Trade name
Tropical Pink Springtail
Common name North AmericaEurope
Also written as: Tropical Pink, Tropical Pink Springtails, Topical Pink Springtail
Sold as Tropical Pink Springtail. The most likely species is Coecobrya tenebricosa.
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.
- The seller prefers Tropical Pink for this species. A collembologist determined the stock to be Coecobrya tenebricosa.
- The seller prefers Tropical Pink because Folsomia candida sometimes goes by Tropical White, so a Tropical Pink label is less likely to be that species.
- The stock was sold for years as Sinella curviseta. The seller says that is not the proper name of the widespread hobby species, though a culture that still carries the Sinella label could be something else.
Where the name comes from
If you sell or buy under this name
What would settle it
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Do all hobby Tropical cultures trace to one *Coecobrya tenebricosa* stock?
Molecular Open
Why it matters. The Tropical Pink and Tropical White cultures were sold for years as Sinella curviseta. One seller has now named them Coecobrya tenebricosa, but cultures that passed through many hands may not share one origin.
What would help. COI barcodes from several sellers' Tropical cultures, compared with the barcode group that a 2019 study of Polish terrariums assigned to Coecobrya tenebricosa.
Jaskula and colleagues 2019 on animals found in hobby terrariums
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Is a culture sold as Tropical White a *Coecobrya* or a *Folsomia*?
Trade names Needs a voucher specimen
Why it matters. The name Tropical White is used for the pale form of Coecobrya tenebricosa and has also been used for Folsomia candida. The two want different care.
What would help. A voucher from each culture checked under a microscope, and a note of the seller and the date of purchase.
Sources
- 1
Springtail Identification and Common Name Resource
Pavy R. Springtails US
Link works · Retailer
Cited at Scientific name changes, Tropical Pink/White Springtails; hobby name list, Coecobrya tenebricosa; hobby name list, Tomocerus minor "Giant Runner Springtail".
- 2
Major Springtail Hobby Identification Updates (2026)
Pavy R. 2026. Springtails US
Link works · Retailer
Cited at Coecobrya sp. Tropical Pink to Coecobrya tenebricosa.