Alternate name: Snow Springtail

Family: Poduridae, Podurid Springtails view all from this family

Description 1/16" (2 mm). Cylindrical, somewhat broader past middle. Dark blue. Dull brown under legs and at forked abdominal tip. Antennae short. 16 minute eyes in cluster on each side of head.

Food Pollen.

Life Cycle Eggs are scattered in holes in soil in late spring. Nymphs feed during summer, maturing by early winter. Adults are active on snow surface on warm days and in early spring when they mate again.

Habitat Leaf litter on forest floors and in holes in soil.

Range Atlantic Coast to Pennsylvania, west to Iowa, north to Ontario and the Arctic.

Discussion On warm winter days these insects often swarm on the surface of snow, forming dark patches. Sometimes they are found floating in buckets of maple syrup.