Springtail
Orchesella cincta
Orchesella cincta is a tiny springtail found in damp leaf litter, moss, compost, bark crevices, and upper soil layers across much of Europe. It feeds mainly on fungi, algae, bacteria, and decaying organic matter, helping break down forest litter. When disturbed, it snaps a forked appendage called the furcula against the ground to launch itself away in a sudden jump. Its banded body and small size make it easy to overlook despite being abundant in healthy soils.
- Type
- Swift
- Conservation status
- NE