How to Separate Orange Springtails

How to Separate Orange Springtails

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Cultures of Orange springtails often get contaminated by other types of springtails.

In this example tiny white jumpers have established very strong colony in the container originally populated with only Orange springtails.

Moving only one type of springtails to another container could be challenging.

Let's see how we can separate large Orange from tiny white and silver jumpers.

All springtails stay on the water surface - even the large orange as you can see here.

Flooding the container forces all springtails to the surface.

Now we can cherry pick Orange springtails on the water surface using soft brush.

Also, we can use a pipette for moving springtails.

I personally prefer using a soft brush for moving springtails.

Remember, flooding has aversive effects on springtails cultures.

Springtail males leave sperm on the soil or whatever medium you provide them with, for females to pick up.

Most of the sperms get wash out of the soil when we flood the culture.

Here I have a prepared in advance container for a new culture.

Use a soft brush to move Orange springtails in the new housing.

Also, it's easy to pick Orange springtails on the walls of the container using the soft brush.

And the best part is that this way you don't have to use water at all.

Orange springtails make every terrarium look much more interesting, brighter!

Have fun and happy springtails :)