Author:
Qjure
Book:
Qjurious
Type:
Info
Chapter:
4-461.20.00
Collembola
English: Springtails.
Synonym: Entognatha
Name: Collembola is from the ancient Greek kólla meaning glue and émbolos meaning peg.
Zoology
Collembolans are omnivorous, free-living organisms that prefer moist conditions. They do not directly engage in the decomposition of organic matter, but contribute to it indirectly through the fragmentation of organic matter and the control of soil microbial communities.
Taxonomy
Collembola belongs to the three lineages of modern hexapods that are no longer considered insects. Although the three orders are sometimes grouped together in a class called Entognatha because they have internal mouthparts, they do not appear to be any more closely related to one another than they are to all insects, which have external mouthparts.