As the days become warmer, you may notice some tiny little black specks among the top of melting snow piles. But what looks like dirt at first glance may actually be a tiny insect commonly found on snow in Connecticut.
Snow fleas, also called springtails, are a common sight during the colder months. Despite the name, they are not actually fleas but tiny inspects that measure only about 1/16th of an inch. They are often mistaken for brown fleas because of their color, but they are distinct from true fleas and do not bite or sting, according to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently posted a video of the insects that went viral on Facebook.
“These tiny bouncing specks you see hopping across the snow are springtails, ancient little arthropods that have been around since before dinosaurs were a thing. They show up on snow because cold temperatures slow them down just enough for us to notice their chaotic parkour routine,” according to the post. “Snow fleas are here and no, they are not actually fleas. They also do not live in your house. Everyone unclench.”
Snow fleas are black in color and get their name because they travel by jumping much like actual fleas. The insects feed on organic matter and use a tail-like bodies to jump, appearing as dark, pepper-like specs in the snow. The insects are active year-round, but are often see in winter, due to their black bodies easily visible against the white snow.
“They often show up in high numbers, appearing like grains or piles of soot,” according to entemologist Katherine Dugas with the CAES. “Their shape and coloration are variable, but all of them have a spine-like mechanism underneath the abdomen known as a furcula. When disturbed, springtails will extend their furcula to propel or ‘spring’ themselves into the air. They are found all over the world.”
While they are harmless insects that don’t cause any health issues for humans, Dugas said that they can become a nuisance in and around homes. They often appear in large numbers and can quickly cause an infestation in wet or damp places. But mostly they are found in soil and feed on algae, fungal, plant roots and decaying organic matter.
“In household situations, where springtail activity is present year-round, it is because of persistent damp conditions,” Dugas said. “These can be the result of water leaks, damp basements, the soil of overwatered houseplants and winter ice dams on buildings causing water issues.”
Despite their startling appearance on snow, the insects play an important ecological role as recyclers of organic material, she said.
“They are an essential part of a healthy natural ecosystem and the nutrient recycling process,” she said. “Although they are a nuisance when found indoors, they will not cause any structural damage.”
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.
