Folsomia candida is not a tropical springtail, it would take you a few second search to cofirm. Getting an identification on springtails is not easy and there are many species. Dart frog people also put scientific names on isopods that aren't even close, the wrong name is not really better than none.
Springtails "Tropical Variety"
- Thread starter happy1892
- Start date
Help Support Mantidforum:
frogparty
Well-known member
Tomocerus are the easiest to identify. Maybe I hav my temperate/ tropical misidentified. Either way my folsomia candida ( the ones pictured above) breed faster above 75 degrees. Sinella curviseta breed at lower temps.'it is my understanding that folsomia is widespread. I can guarantee you that I have my species identified correctly because we did it at the University of Washington as a project. Tomocerus are much larger and more insect looking (springtails are not insects for those who don't know)
Orin- im happy to send you specimens of my different springs if you would like to take a crack at re identifying them for me.
But back to the post. I feed mine yeast and keep them above 70 and get excellent production on charcoal. The Tomocerus are an exception and they are kept at room temp and live on coco coir substrate and are fed yeast and veggie scraps just like my isopods
Orin- im happy to send you specimens of my different springs if you would like to take a crack at re identifying them for me.
But back to the post. I feed mine yeast and keep them above 70 and get excellent production on charcoal. The Tomocerus are an exception and they are kept at room temp and live on coco coir substrate and are fed yeast and veggie scraps just like my isopods
frogparty
Well-known member
I have never tried to double check the identity of my Isopoda against what they were called when I bought them. But let's remember too that melanogaster is no longer Drosophila
happy1892
Well-known member
I used to not know that. Some places said sprintails are insects and some places say they are not.
happy1892
Well-known member
It took me a few seconds to find your Tomocerus becuase you had an extra letter t in the species name. It is found north as far as British Columbia, Canada so neither of your springtails could be honestly called tropical and both would live just fine in the refrigerator assuming they're labeled correctly. I am not a springtail expert, I was just saying the "tropical" springtail title is used as a sales gimmick.
Last edited by a moderator:
happy1892
Well-known member
frogparty
Well-known member
Tomocerus I collected locally when I lived in Seattle.
In all reality tropical/ temperate are just ways to sell them. People should know that they can all breed at room temperature. The tomocerus don't need refrigeration to breed, but it might be interesting to try. I used to construct leaf litter sieves to collect them in the summer, but a Seattle summer can't ever come close to being what we'd call hot
In all reality tropical/ temperate are just ways to sell them. People should know that they can all breed at room temperature. The tomocerus don't need refrigeration to breed, but it might be interesting to try. I used to construct leaf litter sieves to collect them in the summer, but a Seattle summer can't ever come close to being what we'd call hot
happy1892
Well-known member
I put my springtails in the freezer and they froze. After awhile I took them out and let them thaw out. Now they are starting to move again. I am delighted.
hahahahahhaha
happy1892
Well-known member
Some of the springtails were in frozen water. All of them are moving now.
Last edited by a moderator:
happy1892
Well-known member
Do they freeze like wood frogs?
happy1892
Well-known member
Are you sure the ones I have are Folsomia candida?
frogparty
Well-known member
VERY SURE. But Folsomia are acually temperate. I dont believe there are TRULY tropical springs easily available. Ive done some additional research on it, and the "tropical" springs available arent really truly tropical.
The body type of yours is very easy to identify. Im positive you have Folsomia candida
The body type of yours is very easy to identify. Im positive you have Folsomia candida
Last edited by a moderator:
Right now mine are in my cold room, it is only about 60 F in there and they are doing fine, one is temp and one is col, dont see much diff in either of them.
