50ct Blue Velvet Springtails (Desoria trispinata) Chicago, IL Locality

This species fluoresces a vibrant blue under UV light (photographed under 365nm UV). In normal lighting they have a visible blue coloration and tiny hairs that give the appearance of velvet. This is the Chicago, Illinois locale and while there is no difference in appearance or behavior between this and the original Orr, Minnesota locale, a distinction between localities should still be maintained within the hobby.

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Desoria tripinata are an effective cleanup crew species in moist and high humidity enclosures. They have a good reproduction rate and appetite and are active in the soil. See the Cleanup Crew Guides for more information: www.springtails.us/cleanup-crew-guides

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Culture Desoria trispinata on Springtail Plaster or soil. Feed yeast, dry rice, or Springtails US springtail food mixes. See the Care Guides for more information: www.springtails.us/care-guides

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Current restock schedule: Weekly (usually Saturday nights)

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Ships on damp paper towel. See the "Springtail Shipping Methods" section on the FAQ page to learn why I use paper towel and how to transfer them to a culture.

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Originally collected by Ryne of Springtails US on moist soil near a pond in Chicago, Illinois. This Chicago locality was introduced to the US hobby November 28th 2023, all members of this species previously sold in the US are the Orr, MN locality.

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Common in soil ecosystems. Range/distribution global. The US population may be unique; a population in culture in Europe has not shown UV fluorescence.

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Adult size: ~1.5mm

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Identification: Confirmed via habitus and UV fluorescence. Pending microscopic evaluation.