springtails

- Snow fleas are not really fleas, but belong to a group of primitive organisms called springtails (Collembola).

Rich Wolf: Boulder's Heart-Warming Fleas 2010

They're critters called springtails, averaging less than

Freep.com - RSS 2010

A closer look revealed many long-legged linopodes mites that dashed around frantically, and several distinct species of springtails crept about cautiously – one a milky yellow, little Michelin man with stubby antennae, and another tiny and glistening with metallic purple.

Country diary: Hurt Wood, Surrey Hills 2011

- Snow fleas, like all springtails, have an unusual appendage (a furcula) that folds under the abdomen and can be used to suddenly propel the insects several inches.

Rich Wolf: Boulder's Heart-Warming Fleas 2010

He details soil studies showing imidacloprid killing springtails, beetles and earthworms; robbing the soils of its necessary beneficial fauna, which in turn are important in breaking-down leaf litter, decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients.

Dr. Reese Halter: Neonictinoids -- Destroying the Web of Life Dr. Reese Halter 2010

He details soil studies showing imidacloprid killing springtails, beetles and earthworms; robbing the soils of its necessary beneficial fauna, which in turn are important in breaking-down leaf litter, decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients.

Dr. Reese Halter: Neonictinoids -- Destroying the Web of Life Dr. Reese Halter 2010

Freeze – thaw cycles leading to ice-crust formation have been shown to severely reduce the winter survival rate of a variety of species, ranging from soil-dwelling springtails (Collembola) to small mammals (lemmings and voles) to ungulates (in particular reindeer/caribou).

Phenotypic responses of arctic species to changes in climate and ultraviolet-B radiation 2009

In northern Taymir, there are only 12 species of springtails but 80% of these occur in all microsites and topographic locations investigated [27].

Implications of current species distributions for future biotic change in the Arctic 2009

As with plants, the arctic fauna accounts for about 3% of the global total, and in general, primitive groups (e.g., springtails) are better represented in the Arctic than are advanced groups such as beetles.

Implications of current species distributions for future biotic change in the Arctic 2009

However, the Arctic is an important global pool of some groups such as mosses, lichens, springtails (and insect parasitoids [13]) because their abundance in the Arctic is higher than in other biomes.

Introduction to Arctic Tundra and Polar Desert Ecosystems 2009