Springtail fleas have pale (sometimes spotted, striped or colored) bodies that are divided into several segments measuring about 1/16th of an inch long. They have simple mouth parts which are utilized for piercing and sucking. There are eight simple eyes and four segmented antennae located in the head region.

Springtail fleas get their name owing to a special set of appendages present below the fourth abdominal segment. This appendage, called the furcula, is normally held in place by another special body part (tenaculum) present below the third abdominal segment. On releasing the furcula, the springtail fleas are capable of traveling, jumping or flying through the air nearly 100 times the length of its own body.

The hypogastrura nivicola are also famous for another special suckerlike organ present below the first abdominal segment. This body part allows adhesion, absorption of oxygen and also the ability to drink water from the soil.

Life cycle of the Collembola

Under favorable weather conditions, the hypogastrura nivicola are capable of multiplying very rapidly to the order of thousands per square foot. On drying up of the soil, they need to migrate in search of water.

Springtail fleas generally mate in the spring season and lay hundreds of eggs. They are immune to the cold and can even reproduce in temperatures as low as 40F. The springtail fleas can work their way up to the surface of the snow, earning them the name of ‘snow fleas’.

The eggs develop into nymphs which turn into adulthood in just three weeks provided the weather conditions are right. They have several predators: beetles, ants, centipedes, mites and many other insect-eaters are a threat to snow fleas.

Humans and the hypogastrura nivicola

Springtail fleas do not bite humans and are harmless to most animal groups. However, they migrate during the hot weather from the lawns into the homes. The fact that they are immune to most insecticides makes it difficult to control them.