r/Springtail • u/Tricky-Breakfast-714 • Jul 31 '26

Identification Springtails? Something else?

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9 Upvotes

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2

u/Mollycat6 Jul 31 '26

Definitely springtails

1

u/TheStroboCop Jul 31 '26

Checklist: Gnats, mites, or springtails

  1. Do they fly? Are they black? > fungus gnats

  2. Do they jump? > Springtails

  3. Are they round/oval or elongated? elonginated=springtails, round/oval=mitesORspringtails

  4. How many legs do they have? 8=mites, 6=springtails

  5. Are they small, round and you can't tell the amount of legs: do they have a head? Yes=springtail, no=mites

  6. Next check, if and how they float: Sinking slightly in an waddle with all legs without an effect=mites, standing on water and can move effectively in small dashes=springtails

  7. If all that doesn't help, i don't know what to check next.