Springtail Wiki

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Trade name

Wood Runner Springtail

Trade name North America

Also written as: Wood Runner, Wood Runner Springtails, Wood Runer Springtail

Sold as Wood Runner Springtail. The most likely species is Entomobryoides purpurascens.

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

    Entomobryoides purpurascens

    Sold as the hobby culture Wood Runner

    A collembologist identified the stock as Entomobryoides purpurascens in 2026. It was sold earlier as Entomobrya sp. Anecdotal 1, 2

  • Unlikely

    Entomobrya

    A group of species, not one species.

    The stock was sold as Entomobrya sp. until the 2026 identification placed it in a different genus. Anecdotal 1

Where the name comes from

The seller says a species name was always needed. The genus changed as well. Because the species is somewhat widely sold, the seller expects confusion. Anecdotal 1

If you sell or buy under this name

Tip When a stock changes name, tell buyers and other sellers widely. Otherwise one animal ends up with two names, and two animals end up sharing one. Anecdotal 1

What would settle it

  • What colour and pattern does *Entomobryoides purpurascens* show?

    Identification Open

    Why it matters. The plate has to show something. No source read for this site describes the colour, so it is drawn neutral.

    What would help. A scaled photograph of live adults on a plain background with a note on lighting, and the description from the species literature.

Sources

  1. 1

    Major Springtail Hobby Identification Updates (2026)

    Pavy R. 2026. Springtails US

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at Entomobrya sp. Wood Runner Springtail to Entomobryoides purpurascens; Neanura growae Florida Orange Springtail to Yuukianura aphoruroides.

  2. 2

    Springtail Identification and Common Name Resource

    Pavy R. Springtails US

    Link works · Retailer

    Cited at hobby name list, Entomobryoides purpurascens "Wood Runner Springtail".