Need springtails - Folsomia candida (help!)

ProfanityURL

Hi,

I am using F. candida as an indicator of toxicity as part of an experiment and I am just wondering if anyone knows the best way to go about finding the little buggers. Is there anywhere you can actually buy a pure culture of them or if not, where is the best place to go looking for them, I was thinking compost heaps but I can't think of anywhere else. Are they difficult to identify the correct genus? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

aidoh

I've sampled for soil invertebrates in the past but never specifically for just springtails.
I had a quick look online and this paper has a quick description of where and how to sample the species, as well as references to other papers which I'm sure will detail the process in more depth. Just read up on in and check the materials/methods sections of papers relating to that species and you'll come across a good way of getting them!

http://www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/testing/41389036.pdf

Alan b.

not sure if you are still after these, probably not at this stage, but if you are, check out www.dartfrog.co.uk/livefoods

they sell culture kits of various different little critters including f candida as tank custodians and food for small frogs.

ProfanityURL

Thanks. I got sorted anyway. A lab in the Czech Republic sent 40 individuals over for me to start my own culture.

Alan b.

got any spares? ha
im looking to get some for my vivarium to maintain the soil and nobody in ireland seems to have them at the moment so its looking like i'll be taking my own advice and placing an order.

glad you got sorted.