springtail
noun
spring·tail
ˈspriŋ-ˌtāl 
: any of a class (Collembola) of small wingless six-legged arthropods that have internal mouthparts enclosed in folds of the head, usually possess a furcula used for jumping, feed especially on fungi and decaying vegetation, and are typically found in moist or wet surroundings (such as soil or in caves)
called also collembolan
Examples of springtail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Snow fleas, also called springtails, are a common sight during the colder months.
—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2026
These include springtails such as Hypogastrura harveyi, Hypogastrura nivicola and Hypogastrura tooliki, all of which are called snow fleas.
—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
Sarah Moore Wet, cold weather that hit ahead of Winter Storm Fern is revealing springtails, ancient arthropods typically found on snow piles during the winter.
—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Approximately 700 different species of springtails live in North America, according to MSU.
—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
25 Jan. 2026
Snow fleas — or springtails — aren't actually fleas, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
The secret of the springtail’s skin is tiny surface compartments that contain sharp edges, a physical design that resists the advance of liquids and can help contain the flow of liquids.
—
Jeremy Hsu,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Apr. 2018
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Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2026
These include springtails such as Hypogastrura harveyi, Hypogastrura nivicola and Hypogastrura tooliki, all of which are called snow fleas.
—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
Sarah Moore Wet, cold weather that hit ahead of Winter Storm Fern is revealing springtails, ancient arthropods typically found on snow piles during the winter.
—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Approximately 700 different species of springtails live in North America, according to MSU.
—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
25 Jan. 2026
Snow fleas — or springtails — aren't actually fleas, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
The secret of the springtail’s skin is tiny surface compartments that contain sharp edges, a physical design that resists the advance of liquids and can help contain the flow of liquids.
—
Jeremy Hsu,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Apr. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Springtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/springtail. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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