SPRINGTAILS

 

The springtails or collembola, generally are not injurious to foliage plants. Usually the problem is aesthetic in nature. With heavy soil populations of collembola, tremendous numbers migrate to the soil surface during watering, frequently causing concern that this insect is injurious to the plant in some manner. This pest feeds on organic material in the soil; however, extremely high populations may damage root tissue. Control methods against fungus gnat larvae also are fairly effective against this insect.

 

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Lance S. Osborne: lsosborn@ufl.edu
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Revised: Oct. 2015