Springtail with Proboscis(tongue)?

[Bald Eagle]

I am still in amazement over this image. I have a whole series of shots taken before and after this one, nothing strange. This image, looks like he is grooming himself with a tongue? please correct me if I'm wrong. not sure whats going here.

[Bald Eagle]

Here is a major crop.

[Bald Eagle]

and back to a regular looking springtail

[Bald Eagle]

one last image of this one.

[Jay Lowery]

maybe its a parasite? nice shots btw

[alliec]

Interesting, looks like it could be a form of parasite. What has Frans had to say on Flickr?

[LordV]

Lovely captures BE.
Pretty certain the odd tongue is an inverted ventral tube. In my pic below the lump underneath between the 1st and 2nd legs is the ventral organ which can invert producing two tubes - think it's got something to do with water regulation.
Never seen one of these though inverted like that.

Brian V.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/2053181812_a084596b12.jpg

[Bald Eagle]

Thanks Jay, for the kind words. I dont think it was a parasite, if it was this poor guy would be in big trouble

I'm not positive it was a parasite, one that big would affect the springtail severely. still waiting to hear from Frans.

Thanks Brian, I did some research as well, i tend to agree with your thoughts (excellent image on yours by the way). Just the suddeness of the appearance and it was retracted just as quick, and the fact that I've never seen this display before either. Completely surprised me.

[Bald Eagle]

The image has been verified byFrans(a leading world scientist on springtails) to be as we had supected. its what they call a "sac". they come out of what they call a ventral tube. they use these seemingly transparent tentacles as water gathering devices and for a better grip climbing on smooth surfaces.
they actually have two and as I understand it, I was very lucky to have caught one in an image, as they can extend them and retract them at lightning speed.Thanks again for all of the kind words and help.

[esotericman]

Great pics! Go watch "Life in the Undergrowth" with David Attenborough, the video shows what it's for!

[Bald Eagle]

Great pics! Go watch "Life in the Undergrowth" with David Attenborough, the video shows what it's for!
Thanks for the tip and the kind words. is this a video on PBS? or must one buy or rent it?