springtail

views updated May 23 2018

spring·tail / ˈspringˌtāl/ • n. a minute primitive wingless insect (order Collembola) that has a springlike organ under the abdomen that enables it to leap when disturbed. Springtails are abundant in the soil and leaf litter.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

springtail

views updated May 14 2018

springtail Member of the order Collembola, which possesses specialized leaping mechanisms (the furcula and retinaculum).

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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springtail

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