Up to Date Springtail Identification and Common Name Resource

I will try to update this resource continuously as new species enter the hobby and new identifications/common name changes arise.

There are two categories for name changes right now: "Scientific name changes" and "Species plus common name changes."

After these categories is a list of species in hobbyist culture with their most up to date info and a list of all names they go under.

Scientific name changes:

"Orange Springtails" Bilobella braunerae --> Protanura sp --> Yuukianura aphoruroides

So called Bilobella braunerae first entered my possession in February of 2022. I sent a series of macro shots to Frans Janssens of collembola.org and he identified them as Protanura sp. Following higher resolution images he determined them to likely be the closely related Yuukianura aphoruroides, a species which came from the Philippines into Europe via earthworm cultures. Microscopic analysis confirmed the ID. Yuukianura aphoruroides is the definitive ID for all springtails previously sold as Billobella or Protanura. I have yet to see evidence of real Bilobella being commercialized anywhere in the world.

This species also go by the common names "Spanish Orange Springtail" "Asian Orange Springtail" and "Cheeto Springtail" but are all the same species from the same original stock.

See entries under the names "Pavy, R" "Chung, W.K.H" "Cheng, H.-J." https://collembola.org/taxa/neaninae.htm#Yuukianura 

(This stock is not to be confused with Yuukianura aphoruroides "Florida Orange Locality", see below.)

"Florida Orange Springtail" Neanura growae --> Yuukianura aphoruroides "Florida Orange Locality"

I take full responsibility for this mess up and sincerely apologize for publishing the old identification. It turns out that much like the first stock of Y. aphoruroides were misidentified based on a European species, this stock were misidentified based on a North American species because it was collected from a naturalized population in the US. I will now be using the name "Florida Orange Locality" to differentiate this stock from the other of this species.

For more information please see this link:

https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

"Tropical Pink/White Springtails" Sinella curviseta -->Coecobrya sp --> Coecobrya tenebricosa

"Tropical" springtails go by two common names (white and pink), it gets confused though as sometimes Folsomia candida are sold as "tropical white." Tropical white/pink springtails have been in the hobby for years under the name Sinella but were determined by a collembologist to be C. tenebricosa.

With certainty we can state that Sinella curviseta is not the proper name of the widespread species in the hobby. They are in fact Coecobrya tenebricosa. See this link for more information: https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

"Globular Cave Springtails" Arrhopalitidae sp --> Arrhopalites caecus

Arrhopalites caecus were intruduced to the hobby by myself in December of 2021 as Arrhopalitidae sp. I later got them to species level through microscopic analysis.

This species also goes by the common name "White Globular Springtail" but are all the same species from the same original stock.

Identification confirmed at https://bugguide.net/node/view/2217931 

UPDATE: This identification has been further confirmed by a collembologist examining the stock himself.

"Thai Red Springtails" Neanurinae sp --> cf. Lobella sp --> Lobella sp

The original red springtails from Thailand entered the worldwide hobby in late 2021 with no scientific name. They were shown to be Neanurinae shortly after by the presence of obvious tubercles and later placed in the genus Lobella tentatively (hence the "c.f."). Lobella as a genus level ID has now been confirmed so the c.f. can be dropped. Species level identification is not currently planned.

This species also goes by the common name "Red Springtail."

See entry under the name "Pavy, R" https://www.collembola.org/taxa/neaninae.htm#Lobella

"Bylas Ant Springtail" Cyphoderus sp --> Pseudosinella sp --> Pseudosinella violenta

This species which was introduced by Roach Crossing under the name Cyphoderus has been proven under microscopic analysis to the very similar in appearance genus of Pseudosinella. Further microscopy by a Florida state entomologist and myself confirmed species to be Pseudosinella violenta.

Identification confirmed because: species has no eyes, unguiculus has distinctly large outher tooth, setae in labial triangle smooth, Thoracic segment 2 marginally wider than Th 3, setae of Th 2 "collar" are long. https://imgur.com/a/qjHRXnL

UPDATE: This identification has been further confirmed by a collembologist examining the stock himself.

Entomobrya sp "Silver" --> Seira dowlingi

This species has long been known to need an ID change and thanks to specimens from Iheartbugs that has finally happened. Specimens were sent to a Florida state entomologist and they arrived at the new accurate ID of Seira dowlingi.

“Little Soil Springtail” Onychiurinae sp --> Thalassaphorura encarpata

This species has been awaiting a species level ID for a few years and thanks to collembologist Dr. Ernest Bernard they now have one. Samples were sent to him and he keyed them out to the proper ID.

"Tiny Blue Springtail" Hypogastruridae sp. (Lake Keystone, OK Locale) --> Xenylla grisea

The old name only reflected the family level ID, so now having a species name shouldn't be too much of a problem. I urge others to keep the common name and locality info attached to all cultures of this species as it shares a common name with other locality stock. https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

"Green Water Springtail" Isotomurus retardatus --> Isotomurus cf. louisiana

As this species hasn't been sold widely yet I hope change this will not be too much of a problem. The old ID was difficult to acquire and the new ID is also lacking total certainty hence the "cf.", indicating tentativeness in the species level identification. https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

Seira bipunctata --> Seira brasiliana

As this species hasn't been been widely sold I hope this change will not be too much of a problem. The original ID was based on macrophotography while the new ID is confirmed via microscopic analysis. https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

Seira sp. 13 --> Seira purpurea

As this species hasn't been been widely sold I hope this change will not be too much of a problem. The original ID was based on macrophotography while the new ID is confirmed via microscopic analysis. https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

"Wood Runner Springtail" Entomobrya sp. --> Entomobryoides purpurascens

This is an exciting development! Though unfortunately this species is somewhat widely sold so confusion is sure to arise. We always knew a species ID was needed but it is cool to see the genus updated as well. According to the collembologist who did the identification, this species can be associated with ant nests and has been documented picking up and running off with the pre-killed corpses of F. candida to eat them in private, a behavior I have documented with grains of yeast in the below species of Entomobryoides. https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

"Grizzled Springtail" Entomobrya griseoolivata --> Entomobryoides cf. dissimilis

The old ID was way off mark! But Entomobryoides makes much more sense as this species is much larger than typical Entomobrya. I have also noted this species grabbing individual grains of yeast and running off to eat them alone, a noted behavior in the genus and perhaps an adaptation from life in ant nests. As this species hasn't been been widely sold I hope this change will not be too much of a problem. https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

Species plus common name changes:

Ceratophysella sp "Purple Springtails" --> Ceratophysella sp "Lilac Springtails" --> Ceratophysella isabellae "Lilac Springtails"

Many hobbyists decided that the name of "purple springtail" should be reserved for truly purple species who have yet to enter the springtail hobby. "Lilac" is a name more representative of their true color and maintains the balance for the future of the hobby.

The species level ID was confirmed by a collembologist who examined the stock, though the ID may change with time.

Collembola sp "Indigo Blue" --> Anurida maritima "Seashore Springtail"

This species collected in Elliot Key, Florida has long been suspected of being Anurida maritima. Their habitat and lack of ability to jump pointed to that fact but photos taken by Carlos Michaelsen of the arrangement of ocelli confirmed it.

The common name "Indigo Blue" still stands but it is encouraged for all sellers and collectors to start using the long-standing common name "Seashore Springtail."

Identification confirmed by 5 ocelli per eyepatch, arrangement of ocelli, general habitus, and habitat.

Entomobrya sp "Compost Springtail" --> Entomobrya confusa "Varicolored Springtail" Entomobrya assuta var. nov. "Varicolored Springtail"

This is a species which I introduced under the name Entomobrya sp "compost" because they were collected from compost. Species level ID was found soon after and I decided that the common name was not good enough for them and changed it before they became widely available but some people received cultures under the name Entomobrya sp "Compost."

This species also goes by the common name "Compost Varicolor Springtail."

UPDATE: Species level ID has changed further, please see this link for more information https://www.springtails.us/post/major-springtail-hobby-identification-updates-2026

Springtails of the hobby name resource:

This section is a list of all species in hobbyist culture with their current scientific and common names as well as other names they go under. Due to a difficulty in collecting information some of these species may no longer be in hobbyist culture and some species in hobbyist culture may not be on this list.

Anurida maritima "Seashore Springtail"

Also goes by Collembola sp and Poduromorpha sp "Indigo Blue Springtail"

Arrhopalites caecus "Globular Cave Springtail"

Also goes by the scientific name Arrhopalitidae sp and the common name "White Globular Springtail"

Brachystomella villalobosi “Tiny Purple Springtail”

Has not been sold under another name

Ceratophysella isabellae "Lilac"

Also goes by the scientific name Ceratophysella sp. and the common name "Purple Springtail” and “Purple Podura”

Color morphs: F1, Yellow Albino, White Albino.

cf. Onychiuridae sp "Tiny White Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

cf. Willowsia sp "Kota Kinabalu" (Malaysian Silver Scaly Springtail)

Has not been sold under another name.

Coecobrya tenebricosa "Tropical White / Tropical Pink Springtail"

"Tropical Pink" is the preferred name to avoid confusion with the species Folsomia candida who sometimes goes by "Tropical White." Previously known as the scientific name Sinella sp, Sinella curviseta, Coecobrya sp, Coecobrya cf. tenebricosa, or Collembola sp.

Collembola sp. "Silver Springtail"

Insufficient data as of this time, cannot determine if this culture has been sold under another name.

Cyphoderus similis "White Ant Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

Desoria trispinata "Blue Velvet Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name. There are two locales in US hobbyist culture but both are indistinguishable.

Entomobrya atrocincta "Dimorphic Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

Entomobrya assuta var. nov. "Varicolored Springtail"

Has been sold under the name Entomobrya confusa, Entomobrya sp "Compost Springtail" and the common name "Compost Varicolor Springtail."

Entomobryoides cf. dissimilis "Olive Springtail" or "Grizzled Springtail"

Has been sold under both common names and has been sold under the scientific name Entomobrya griseoolivata.

Entomobrya quadrilineata

Has not been sold under another name.

Entomobrya multifasciata “Little Tiger Springtail”

Has not been sold under another name.

Entomobryoides purpurascens "Wood Runner Springtail"

Has been sold under the scientific name Entomobrya sp.

Entomobrya unostrigata "Cotton Springtail"

Has been sold under the common name "Arid Cotton Springtail."

Entombryomorpha sp "Small Silver"

Not enough data at the time of writing.

Folsomia candida "Temperate / Common White Springtail"

Both common names are valid. Has sometimes been sold under the name "Tropical White Springtail" but should not continue to be sold under that name in order to avoid confusion. Has also been sold as Collembola sp. Rarely sold with a locale distinction in the case of traced and pure lineages.

Homidia socia "Three-Lined Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

Xenylla grisea "Tiny Blue Springtail" (Lake Keystone, OK Locale)

Has been sold under the scientific name Hypogastruridae sp. A different species or locality has been sold under the same common name.

Isotoma delta

Has been sold under the common name "Godzilla Springtail."

Isotomurus cf. louisiana “Green Water Springtail”

Has been sold under the name Isotomurus retardatus.

Lepidocyrtus cinereus "24K Springtails"

Has not been sold under another name. ID change may be necessary following further scrutiny.

Lepidocyrtus paradoxus "Paradoxing Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

Lepidocyrtus sp "Micro Gold Springtail"

Has been sold under the common name "Gold Springtail"

Lepidocyrtus sp "Pearlescent Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

Lepidocyrtus sp "Silver Springtails"

Has not been sold under another name.

Lepidocyrtus violaceus "Blacklight Springtail"

Has been sold under the name Lepidocyrtus sp.

Lobella sp "Thai Red Springtail"

Has been sold under the scientific names Neanurinae sp and cf. Lobella sp. Also sold under the common name "Red Springtail"

Neanura persimilis

Has not been sold under another name.

Onychiurinae sp “Snowflake”

Has not been sold under another name.

Orchesella ainsliei

Has not been sold as another name but locale may be distinguished.

Orchesella cincta "Belted Springtail"

Has been sold under the common name "Giant Belted Springtail"

Orchesella villosa "Woolly Mammoth Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name, although multiple indistinguishable localities exist in hobbyist culture.

Poduromorpha sp "Tiny Blue Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name, although a different species has been sold under the same common name.

Pogonognathellus bidentatus

Has not been sold under another name.

Pogonognathellus dubius "GSB/Giant Silver Bullet Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

Proisotoma minuta "Blue Podura Springtail"

Has been sold under only the common name until a scientific name was assigned.

Pseudosinella alba "Prospector Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name although it's unclear for now if the identification is correct.

Pseudosinella rolfsi "Runner Springtail" & "Rutabaga Runner Springtail"

The same species sold under two common names, each common name is from a different collection (different location and time).

Pseudosinella violenta "Bylas Ant Springtail"

Has been sold under the scientific name Cyphoderus sp, Pseudosinella sp, and the common name "Bylas, AZ."

Salina banksi

Has not been sold under another name.

Seira purpurea

Has been sold under the name Seira sp 13.

Seira brasiliana

Has been sold under the name Seira bipunctata.

Seira dowlingi

Formerly known and traded as Entomobrya sp "Silver Springtail." The "silver" common name may be up for a bit of a change eventually as it is typically reserved for Lepidocyrtus.

Sminthurinus quadrimaculatus

Has not been sold under another name.

Tetrodontophora bielanensis “Giant Blue Springtail”

Has not been sold under another name.

Thalassaphorura encarpata “Little Soil Springtail”

Has been sold under the scientific name Onychiurinae sp.

Tomocerus minor "Giant Runner Springtail"

This species exists in hobbyist culture with both the proper identification and improper. In some cases springtails sold as Tomocerus vulgaris are actually T. minor. It is recommended to only sell stock under this name which has been properly verified via microscopy and only buy from vendors who can trace back to a proper identification via microscopy. T. minor has tridentate dental spines.

Tomocerus vulgaris "Common Bull Springtail"

Has also been sold under the common name "Giant Silver Springtail." This species exists in hobbyist culture with both the proper identification and improper. In some cases springtails sold as Tomocerus vulgaris are actually T. minor. It is recommended to only sell stock under this name which has been properly verified via microscopy and only buy from vendors who can trace back to a proper identification via microscopy. T. vulgaris does not have tridentate dental spines.

Vertagopus sp "Sombré Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

Vitronura giselae

Has not been sold under another name.

Color morphs: White.

Willowsia buski "Damp Grain Springtail"

Has not been sold under another name.

Yuukianura aphoruroides "Florida Orange Locality"

Has been sold under the scientific name Neanura growae. Also goes by the common name "US Orange Springtail" or "Native Orange Springtail."

Yuukianura aphoruroides "Orange Springtail"

Also sold under the scientific names Bilobella sp, Billobella braunerae, Billobella aurantiaca, and Protanura sp. Also sold under the common names "Spanish Orange Springtail," "Asian Orange Springtail," and "Cheeto Springtail."