springtail
noun
spring·tail
| \ ˈspriŋ-ˌtāl
\
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Definition of springtail
: any of an order (Collembola) of small primitive wingless arthropods that are either classified as insects or are placed in a related class (Entognatha), that have internal mouthparts enclosed in folds of the head, usually possess a furcula used for jumping, exhibit incomplete metamorphosis, feed especially on fungi and decaying vegetation, and are typically found in moist or wet surroundings (such as soil, on the surface of water or melting snow, or in caves)
— called also collembolan
Examples of springtail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The frogs likely evolved their tiny stature to take advantage of ecological niches few other creatures can, for instance by hunting equally tiny prey such as ants, termites, and springtails. — National Geographic, "New staple-size frog is one of the tiniest ever discovered," 27 Mar. 2019 Various other organisms also popped up alive in the mollusk feces, including springtails, ciliates, nematodes, mosses, and plant seeds. — Yao-hua Law, Science | AAAS, "This mite’s method of hitchhiking is not recommended," 27 Mar. 2018 Spot the mouse tunnels, the rabbit tracks, the deer scat, the tiny springtails (also called snow fleas) popping out of the snow to gobble algae. Look for reeds nearly hidden by snow and empty nests highlighted by it. — Grant Segall, cleveland.com, "Enjoy the wilds in winter with some of the season's best trails," 8 Feb. 2018 But spiders do not show any predilection for human flesh, preferring the taste of insects and another small beastie called collembola, or springtail. — Steve Mirsky, Scientific American, "If You Don't Like Insects, You Should Love Spiders," 1 June 2017 The frogs likely evolved their tiny stature to take advantage of ecological niches few other creatures can, for instance by hunting equally tiny prey such as ants, termites, and springtails. — National Geographic, "New staple-size frog is one of the tiniest ever discovered," 27 Mar. 2019 But spiders do not show any predilection for human flesh, preferring the taste of insects and another small beastie called collembola, or springtail. — Steve Mirsky, Scientific American, "If You Don't Like Insects, You Should Love Spiders," 1 June 2017 Various other organisms also popped up alive in the mollusk feces, including springtails, ciliates, nematodes, mosses, and plant seeds. — Yao-hua Law, Science | AAAS, "This mite’s method of hitchhiking is not recommended," 27 Mar. 2018 But spiders do not show any predilection for human flesh, preferring the taste of insects and another small beastie called collembola, or springtail. — Steve Mirsky, Scientific American, "If You Don't Like Insects, You Should Love Spiders," 1 June 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'springtail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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