Gallery: Snow Fleas

  • bugs on ice
    01

    Bugs on ice

    Springtails on Ice: it's not a strange Ice Capades show, it's just life in the undergrowth. Springtails are technically not insects, although they are close relatives. Many of them are full of antifreeze and active in winter--this one is scampering about on ice crystals. Female *Dicyrtomina saundersi*. [Image © Edward Nurcombe](http://www.flickr.com/photos/odonataman/8230837938/)
  • collembola eyes
    02

    collembola eyes

    Collembola are not insects for several reasons, one of which is the lack of compound eyes. In this photo, you can see that the "eye" is actually several light-sensing ocelli (single lens eyes) grouped together. Also, this springtail is a lovely pinkish purple color. [Image © Edward Nurcombe](http://www.flickr.com/photos/odonataman/8686196645/).
  • Some springtails have spots
    03

    Some have spots

    Some springtails have interesting spotted patterns; this *Katianna* species has lovely tortoiseshell spots. Some springtails look like they are wearing plaid -- one species was [named for Lamar Alexander's trademark shirts](http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/potw/cosberella-lamaralexanderi-great-smoky-mountains-national-park) (*Cosberella lamaralexanderi*). [Image © Edward Nurcombe](http://www.flickr.com/photos/odonataman/11313029424/)
  • wee baby collembola
    04

    wee baby collembola

    All babies are cute. Especially when they are fuzzy baby collembolans about 0.5mm long. [Image © Edward Nurcombe](http://http://www.flickr.com/photos/odonataman/8393132262/).
  • tiny forest
    05

    tiny forest

    This little springtail (*Bourletiella hortensis*) is traversing a forest of moss. A forest that is only 10mm tall. Moss doesn't have true "leaves"; these tiny plants are usually only 1 cell layer thick. Like mosses, springtails need a damp environment to survive. [Image © Edward Nurcombe](http://www.flickr.com/photos/odonataman/8773219460/)
  • the clean and jerk
    06

    The clean and jerk

    Snow flea courtship involves a lot of head banging. Females are usually larger than males, and it's thought that she assesses a male's suitability by making him push her around. Literally. Male *Sminthurides aquaticus* have specially adapted antennae that interlock with the females antennae. Females lift the male in the air, which may help her assess his weight. The ultimate clean and jerk? [Image © Edward Neurcombe.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/odonataman/7938852870/)
  • Sex Collembola Style
    07

    Sex, Collembola Style

    In *Stenacidia violacea*, males also have specially modified antennae that allow them to clasp onto a female's antennae. She then caries the male around for a while while she makes up her mind about him. If he proves satisfactory, she puts him down so he can deposit a spermatophore (basically a package of sperm), which she sits on. [Image © Edward Nurcombe.](http://www.flickr.com/photos/odonataman/10473251533/)
  • Dehydrated Springtail
    08

    dehydrated springtail

    Some springtails solve the problem of below freezing temperatures by dehydrating (cryoprotective dehydration). With little water in their body, ice doesn't form and disrupt tissues. This photo shows (a) scanning electron microscopy of *M. arctica* in "normal" fully hydrated state, and (b) an SEM of *M. arctica* in dehydrated state. Photo courtesy of [K. Robinson and M. R. Worland](http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/10/328).
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