Insect of the Week - The Snowflea

Snowflea, Hypogastrura nivicola (Photo: Tom Murray)

What in the world is a snowflea? Are they fleas that only appear when it snows? Are they fleas that are white in color? Snowfleas are not fleas at all, but are actually a type of insect called a springtail. Springtails are primitive, wingless insects that can leap long distances using their tail (called a furcula). They are tiny insects, ranging in size from 0.04 to 0.2 inch long. Springtails are one of nature's decomposers; they feed on algae and decomposing vegetable matter, bacteria and fungi. As a result of their feeding habits, springtails are generally found in damp places, such as in leaf litter and mossy areas.

Homeowners sometimes discover these insects in large numbers in swimming pools, potted plants, around damp building foundations, or in moist soil and mulch. Springtails are primarily a nuisance pest; they do not bite or transmit disease, but may invade buildings in times of dry weather or heavy rains. They may also breed indoors in areas of high humidity that occur near leaks and cracks to the exterior.

Springtail, showing furcula (Photo: Patty Alder)

Snowfleas are a species of dark blue springtail, Hypogastrura nivicola. They are one of those oddball insects that may remain active in the winter and can be found hopping about on snow banks when the temperature is as low as 20 degrees. Their tiny bodies contain a unique, antifreeze protein that prevents them from freezing during sub-zero temperatures. There are hopes that similar proteins may be useful for storing transplant organs.

Check out the video below to see the snowflea "in action!"