Biological test method for measuring survival of springtails exposed to contaminants in soil

Folsomia candida

• A pale, eyeless springtail with a long jumping organ. It is the standard laboratory species for soil toxicity tests and the most common starter culture for bioactive tanks. (at Chapter 2, test organisms)
• The Environment Canada culture method keeps all four test species, including this one, at a daily average of 20 °C68 °F, with a tolerance of ±2 °C±4 °F. (at Chapter 2, culturing, temperature)
• Laboratories culture it on a base of 8 parts plaster of Paris to 1 part activated charcoal at least 1 cm deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, re-wetted once or twice a week. (at Chapter 2, culturing substrate)
• Granulated or brewer's yeast, once or twice a week, is the standard food. The laboratory method feeds twice a week and removes uneaten yeast before adding more. (at Chapter 2, food and feeding)
• Overfeeding is the usual cause of trouble. Uneaten food rots or moulds, and the laboratory method removes old yeast and aerates the culture at least once a week. (at Chapter 2, food and feeding)
• The laboratory method keeps about 2 to 3 adults per square centimetre of substrate to avoid overcrowding. (at Chapter 2, culturing, loading density)
• Keepers use it as a cleanup crew in tanks, as a feeder culture for small animals, and laboratories use it as a research model. (at Chapter 2, test organisms)