Water Springtail (Podura aquatica)

P. aquatica is a semi-aquatic/aquatic species that lives its entire life scavenging on the surface of still bodies of water, such as ponds, streams, and puddles.

This springtail is a small, squat-bodied creature measuring between b0.5 and 2.5 mm in length , typically bluish-grey but can appear nearly black, both appendages and antennae are red. Juveniles are orange.

The body of Podura aquatica consists of a hydrophobic cuticle (a water-repelling 'skin'-like layer) which allows it to float and walk on the surface of the water.

Another distinctive feature is the shape of its 'furcula', a large pincer-like, long and flattened organ that enables it to both jump off and land back on the water's surface without breaking the surface tension.

This springtail feeds on decaying organic matter and is itself food for fish, amphibians, spiders, and other predacious insects.

There are relatively few records in the UK but this is likely to be due to under-recording given how tiny these things are.

There's also some concern of decline due to the use of pesticides and wetland drainage.