Trade name
Tropical White Springtail
Common name North AmericaEurope
Also written as: Tropical White, Tropical White Springtails, Tropic White Springtail
Sold as Tropical White 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.
- Tropical springtails go by two common names, white and pink. The animals are not all that pink, so some sellers use Tropical White for the same species.
- Folsomia candida has sometimes been sold as Tropical White. The seller says it should not continue to be sold under that name.
How to tell them apart
Where the name comes from
If you sell or buy under this name
What would settle it
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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.
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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
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, Folsomia candida Temperate / Common White Springtail; 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.