Springtail Care Sheet | springtails.us

Springtail Care Information

Care requirements personalized by species. Check the main care guides page for information on how to create springtail cultures. Care requirements can vary, I aim to outline how I go about care for each species. Not every species marked as 'Stocked by Springtails US' is always in stock or frequently restocked.

Pseudosinella violenta

Bylas Ant Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay, Plaster, Charcoal

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on moist substrate with minimal ventilation. Culture on soil for highest reproduction rate.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Folsomia candida

Temperate/Common White Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay, Plaster, Charcoal

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on moiat substrate with minimal ventilation. I use clay for this species. Culture on soil or the 'plagnum' method for highest reproduction rate.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Coecobrya tenebricosa

Tropical Pink Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay, Plaster, Charcoal

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on moist substrate with minimal ventilation. Culture on soil for highest reproduction rate.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Ceratophysella isabellae

Lilac Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay, Plaster

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on moist substrate with minimal ventilation. I use clay for this species. Culture on soil for highest reproduction rate.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Arrhopalites caecus

Globular Cave Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay, Plaster

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on damp substrate with minimal ventilation. I use clay for this species. Culture on soil for highest reproduction rate.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Yuukianura aphoruroides

Orange/Florida Orange Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil,

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. This species can benefit from protein such as fish food in their diet. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on moist substrate with minimal ventilation.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Lobella sp.

Thai Red Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Intermediate +

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on moist substrate with minimal ventilation. This species does best with 80F + temperatures.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Desoria trispinata

Blue Velvet Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay, Plaster

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on damp substrate with minimal ventilation. I use clay for this species. Culture on soil or the 'plagnum' method for highest reproduction rate.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Proisotoma minuta

Blue Podura Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay, Plaster, Charcoal

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Entomobryoides purpurascens

Wood Runner Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Entomobrya assuta var. nov.

Varicolored Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 25% of the substrate dry and 75% moist. Add cross ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Entomobrya unostrigata

Cotton Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Entomobryoides cf. dissimilis

Olive/Grizzled Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 50% of the substrate dry and 50% moist. Add cross ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Xenylla grisea

Tiny Blue Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Isotomurus cf. louisiana

Green Water Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Advanced

Substrates:

Clay, Plaster

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. This species is hard to master, but I'm finding the 'plagnum' method (outlined in the plaster culture setup guide) to be the best. They jump very high and so can be hard to keep contained. Take care when opening their culture.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Lepidocyrtus sp.

Pearlescent Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Lepidocyrtus sp.

Micro Gold Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Lepidocyrtus violaceus

Blacklight Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 25% of the substrate dry and 75% moist. Add cross ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Sinella curviseta

(no common name)

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay, Plaster

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on moist substrate with minimal ventilation. Culture on soil for highest reproduction rate.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Entomobrya multifasciata

Tiger Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate +

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. This species is a pollinator in nature and benefits greatly from bee pollen once a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Entomobrya atrocincta

Dimorphis Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Advanced

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Thalassaphorura encarpata

Little Soil Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Beginner

Substrates:

Soil, Clay,

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Orchesella cincta

Belted Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Intermediate +

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 50% of the substrate dry and 50% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Orchesella villosa

Woolly Mammoth Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate +

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 50% of the substrate dry and 50% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Pogonognathellus dubius

Giant Silver Bullet Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Advanced

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 50% of the substrate dry and 50% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Seira purperea

(no common name)

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate +

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Seira brasiliana

(no common name)

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Seira dowlingi

(no common name)

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Sminthurinus quadrimaculatus

(no common name)

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate +

Substrates:

Soil, Plaster

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container, deli cup, or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. For best results, culture this species on damp substrate with minimal ventilation. Culture on soil or the 'plagnum' method for highest reproduction rate.

Ventilation:

Small amount of ventilation. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Tomocerus minor

Giant Runner Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 25% of the substrate dry and 75% moist. Add cross ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Tomocerus vulgaris

(no common name)

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Yes

Intermediate

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 25% of the substrate dry and 75% moist. Add cross ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Willowsia buski

Damp Grain Springtail

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Intermediate +

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.

Willowsia neonigromaculata

(no common name)

Reproduction rate out of 10:

Difficulty level:

Stocked by Springtails US:

Intermediate +

Substrates:

Soil

Culture containers:

Airtight food storage container or larger gasket container

Diet:

Feed once or twice a week. Springtail food mixes are generally best, otherwise feed brewer's yeast, another type of yeast, or fish food.

Care:

See 'Culture Setup Guides' for more information. Culture this species with a moisture gradient, 75% of the substrate dry and 25% moist. Add a large amount of ventilation on the dry portion.

Ventilation:

Ventilation all along dry portion. Always cover ventilation with a fine mesh. I prefer 35 micron mesh as it keeps springtails contained and pests out.