Springtales?

[Jasonlee247]

I am using Coco Coir and have been watching the little Springtales pop around when I water.

Does anyone know much about them? I don't, other that some are evil and some are beneficial.
My plants are doing great; awsome roots, lush foliage, etc...
...so i doubt that they are doing any damage.

I would like to know if there is a way to distinguish between the good and bad springtales. I dont want to get rid of them if they are beneficials, as I use any beneficial biologicals that i can get my hands on. Also, if they are evil ones what (if any) beneficial insects can I use to eradicate them. I don't like to use pesticides whenever possible.

Thanx in advance for any input!!!!

 

[Jasonlee247]

looks like I just answered my own question, so I'll post what I found...

Springtails
Primitive insects, springtails are minute, wingless members in the order Collembola. As the common name implies, springtails can leap or spring using a forked tail-like structure known as a furcula. A 5-millimeter springtail can jump up to 100 millimeters in one bound. Many springtails are beautifully colored and display a beautiful array of metallic greens, lavenders, and reds, but because of their minute size, largely go unnoticed.


Harmless to humans, springtails feed in the leaf litter on decaying plant matter, fungi, and bacteria helping to enrich the soil. Even though there are over 6,000 described species of Collembola worldwide, of which about 700 are found in North America, almost none exceed 1 millimeter in length.

Restricted to moist soil and litter conditions, springtails do not survive drought conditions. One species lives in the surface film of ponds and streams and occasionally is found in drinking water derived from wells or cisterns. When terrestrial populations boom in or near houses, they may alarm homeowners or create a visual nuisance, appearing as piles of "soot" in driveways, backyards, or basements. Some species are known as "snow fleas" since they are seen leaping about the top of snow during late winter or early spring.


Looks like I'v Aquired some unexpected friendly visitors!!

I't not too often you get free bugs in your garden that don't like to eat your crops!

 

[MinniBratt]

Never heard of SpringTails...thanks for the info

 

[Jasonlee247]

your vary welcome.

 

[Monkeyjaws]

panic over thanks for the info

 

[Dusty Kiefers]

I've had them for a few years and have had very few problems with my plants since noticing them. One old Asian lady told me they were a symbol of good fortune. So I leave them be.
Happy daze.