Not A Bottle Cleaner

Orchesella villosa – Please do not mistake this for a bottle or pipe cleaner. It is a springtail, and boy do they spring when you uspet their day. At least this species has a nice short name. Amazing what you can find by just lifting a small plant pot. For more info on Springtails you can travel there via the link below. Please double-click both images to enlarge.

Collembola: The Springtails

Orchesella villosa
Orchesella villosa

© Peter Hillman ♦ 7th April 2020 ♦ Rear garden, Staffordshire ♦ Nikon D7200

26 thoughts on “Not A Bottle Cleaner”

  5. Pingback: Not A Bottle Cleaner — Peter’s Photo Journal
  8. krikitarts
    Reply

    And you bring me yet another unknown. I’ve heard the name, but I don’t think I’ve ever (knowingly) seen one. I’ll be more on the lookout now. And “unquestionably the most numerous arthropod in the world–” who knew?!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      I find by just lifting a plant pot and getting right down and looking close you can just about see them when they move. You can’t see much detail with the naked eye, although this one is one of the largest here at up to 5mm long. Glad to have opened you up to something new 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • Peter Hillman

        Definately a hands and knees job, and a good magnifying lens if you have one. Some are around 1mm long, and can be found on vegetation in the summer. They are a very diverse species, so numerous yet hardly ever noticed.

        Here is a great Flickr photographer of Springtails if you want to have a look … you will be amazed …

        Various Ceratophysella sp.

        Liked by 1 person

      • krikitarts

        That is amazing. They are even smaller that I thought earlier. Thanks for the update; I’ll now be on the micro-watch for them.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. shoreacres
    Reply

    Well…. Even though I think I’d but this one in my cabinet of curiosities and not display it for its beauty, I’m glad to know about it, and others of its kind!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. jillslawit
    Reply

    I wonder who gives springtails their quirky names. I will have a look at the link for more info thank you. I only find woodlice under my plant pots. I say only…

    Liked by 1 person

    • Peter Hillman
      Reply

      The woodlice are usually one of the first to realise that their cover has been blown, along with any hiding centipedes. The springtails are not long off the mark, but they are so smal lit is a hands and knees job to actually see them, and you will only see them when they move.

      Liked by 1 person

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