How to Test for Collembola

Collembola are small six-legged, wingless hexapods, usually with an antennae, known for their ability to jump off their tail. Although not a true insect, collembola, or springtails, belong to the phylum Arthropoda, named for their jointed limbs and segmented body. Preferring moist wet places, collembola inhabit the soil and plant surfaces. They can be found on bark, in moss, under rocks, in caves and on lakes. They multiply rapidly in the presence of moisture, a good habitat and abundant food. Collembola have been known to invade homes, and there are reports of human infestation.

Instructions

• 1

  Know what to look for. If the tiny bug hops there is a good chance it’s a springtail. Collembola are small insects -- about 1 mm long -- and they come in a wide range of colors -- white, yellow, gray, red, orange or green.

• 2

  Identify collembola living in your soil, garden or yard by making a device called a Burlese funnel designed to catch small bugs.

• 3

  Measure a 1/4-inch firm section of wire screen to place in the bottom of a funnel set on the ground. Make a funnel by removing the bottom of any plastic soda container. Fill the funnel half way with dirt and dangle it over a container containing a small amount of anti-freeze or rubbing alcohol in the bottom to preserve the specimens.

• 4

  Dangle a light bulb approximately 4 inches over the dirt to propel the bugs into the container. Keep the light on for three days to remove moisture from the soil. After three days pour the rubbing alcohol into a small pan and use either a microscope or magnifying glass to determine what type of bugs are present.

• 5

  Test for possible collembola on the skin by using a skin scraping diagnostic test. Although many scientists claim that collembola don’t have the physiology to burrow or bite humans, cases of skin disorders and scalp infestations of collembola have been reported.

• 6

  Put a drop of sterile mineral oil on the surface of the affected skin area. Scrape the skin surface with a scalpel. Collect the skin scrapings and drop them on a clean slide. By using a microscope to examine the slide closer, a physician will be able to detect the presence of collembola.

• 7

  Look for collembola in the home. The most likely places are damp areas with fungi, such as toilet bowls, wells, drains, basements, potted plants and damp walls. If there is a heavy infestation, collembola can be readily seen while examining the house. If you are uncertain if the bugs you find are collembola, follow steps 3 and 4, or the best methods available, to catch the insects for closer examination under a microscope.