Snow Fleas - Hypogastrura nivicola

I was hiking when I thought it had started to drizzle. I stopped and looked around to realize that everything was covered in tiny, blue springtails that were bouncing around, creating the sound of rain.

Habitat: Deciduous forest

comments (10)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Amazing how such a tiny creature can become audible. What triggers this mass event? Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  They tend to pop up out of the leaf litter on warm winter days. It might be due to overcrowding, and they emerge in search of additional food sources or to spread out. But, maybe they are just enjoying the nice day ;). Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Ah, like cows on the first day of spring :) Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Very similar. In fact, if you listen very closely, you can hear the snow fleas mooing. Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Really!? Wow, I'll be sure to make this a regular routine, totally! Posted 5 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Definitely! If you ever see them, make sure to bend close to the ground and listen intently. If you don't hear anything, you can moo at them first. But, make sure you moo really loudly and melodically. They like that. Posted 5 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Excellent. And when others run into this and see and hear me do this, I think I should just double down, right? Commit to it? Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        You got it! Oh, and it would be helpful to have Henriette video you communicating with the snow fleas. It may help further science. Posted 5 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Anything to further science, although I wonder which of the species on film would be the main subject of study. Posted 5 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        It could go either way. Posted 5 years ago

The Snow flea

Snow fleas are a species of dark blue springtail, ''Hypogastrura nivicola''. They are often seen jumping about on the surface of snow on a warm winter day.

Info 14 0

Similar species: Poduromorpha

Species identified by Christine Young