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These are Collembola (Springtails), and are 1 mm (3/64 in) long or less, and I observed them scurrying about on this plant leaf in the back garden until they came together for this moment. Despite the colour differences, they are both the same species, Deuterosminthurus pallipes, the purple is the nominal form, the yellow forma repandus. The couple lingered, antennae meeting, and then parted, each on a different path …
To get a little closer to this springtail means adding a Raynox DCR-250 conversion lens to the end of my Sigma 105mm macro lens, which came through the post via Amazon today. It has an adapter which will clip on the end of any lens with a filter size between 52mm to 67mm. Tricky to get the knack of at this close proximity, and ideally needs to be used via a tripod, but it is quite a sharp lens and I have managed these images handheld. I quite like the white X-shape on this springtail’s head which appears to mask around its eyes. This species is Deuterosminthurus pallipes, as far as I can determine, and I discovered it by just sitting on a garden chair and looking closely for movement on plant leaves. It is about 1mm (0.04in) long.
It appears to have found something tasty to eat, and this makes it easier to photograph as it has finally stopped moving.
Rear garden, Staffordshire, England. July 2017.
Please click on an image for a larger more detailed view. Clicking a second time may get you a little closer.
Here we are again, sitting in the late afternoon sun, amongst some rather interesting friends. Some of them familiar, like the banana yellow Deuterosminthurus pallipes above, and some of them not so familiar like the plumb purple one below, which is the same species.
And further down we again have Entomobrya intermedia, just sitting there chilling, and the only one that kept still for me.
Please click on an image for a larger more detailed view. Clicking a second time may get you a little closer.
Rear garden, Staffordshire, England. July 2017.
Just sitting in the garden, looking and listening, so much life going on around me. I look down and focus, and see movement on the plants below. I could not tell what they were with the naked eye, they were so small, but they were alive and moving.
Through the lens of my camera I could see the above creature was a bright yellow springtail, quite a cute critter, with big cartoony eyes. I had never seen this one before, and he or she was very busy moving around the leaf. I later identified it as Deuterosminthurus pallipes. They grow up to 1mm (0.04in) long, and apparently they like to dance before mating. They also come in purple, and when the yellow ones and purple ones mate their off spring is yellow or purple, nothing in between.
Directly above is another springtail called Entomobrya intermedia, which is slightly longer at 2mm (0.08in).
This is extreme macro and well beyond the capabilities of my macro lens. To get closer to these you need extension tubes, I guess.
Please click on an image for a larger more detailed view. Clicking a second time may get you a little closer.
Rear garden, Staffordshire, England. July 2017.
Nature Journeys 