‘Globular’ Springtails (Symphypleona)

The globular springtails (Symphypleona) are probably the most distinctive of the springtails, with a charmingly spherical body (their abdominal and thoracic segments are fused) which is often colourful and patterned. Symphypleona are mainly surface-dwellers, living in decaying plant material and on vegetation, and make good use of their springing organs (some wonderful slow-motion footage of them launching to the heavens has been captured by Dr Adrian Smith (@DrAdrianSmith on Twitter), available on YouTube here). They are easily the most photographic of the springtails, and sometimes they even seem happy to pose for some snaps.