For Springtail fanciers only

[LordV]

A springtail in the fog- only reason for posting this is I thought there was a springtail spermatophore in the shot (to the right of the springtail).
Frans added an interesting narrative on Flickr.

"Dicyrtomina ornata.
Indeed, Brian, the stalked drop is a spermatophore. Excellent observation! The second spermatophore (at the tip of the left antenna, a bit out of focus) has been consumed (the drop is missing, the stalk remains). And there could be a third one (also consumed) at the right of the specimen close to the outer water drop.

Many Collembola males 'plant' true fields of spermatophores to make sure that whenever a female walks through such a field she gets impregnated ;-)
In some species (e.g. Orchesella cincta) the males guard their spermatophore fields. They will check the freshness of the spermatophores and eat those considered 'out of date' and replace them with new ones."

The mind boggles :)

Brian V.


Click on Pic for larger size

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2097170721_511d9b8311.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2105/2097170721_662decf7b7_o.jpg)

[Photogirl2007]

What a very interesting piece of information on them Brian. Nature never fails to facinate me. Thanks for posting this.

[alliec]

Thats very interesting Brian. Frans is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to these.

[racketman]

i've learnt something today - I wouldn't have known what I had captured but you had obviously read up. Fewer springtails around today but got a few.

[Attic]

he is a very informative man is Frans and he always updates my shots with extra info. I can't say I ever seen a spermatophore but with look more closely from now on ;) Nice shot too Brian ;)

[LindaB]

Fascinating :-) thanks for posting that info

Linda

[Jay Lowery]

good stuff, good shot

[troypiggo]

Fascinating -thanks so much for posting that. The more I read this group, the more I learn and want to learn!

[LordV]

Thanks for the comments all :) - Always good to have an expert around (Frans).
Toby frans had ID'd one of these spermatophores in one of my shots from last year so had a good idea what it was - it's just spotting them that's hard :)
Brian V.

[dpastern]

Good shot Brian - how tiny are those Spermatophores!!! Well spotted, I'd have had no idea what that was...

Dave

[macro junkie]

im going to look for them now but 10er says i cant find any..soon im going to put a order in 5£ to somone to send me packet of spring tails:lol:

[johnkermit1]

i have never seen 1 of the springtails, much less the spermatophore!
awesome shot!