The collembolan being attacked here is an onychiurid. They have this ability to defend themselves by excreting the noxious liquid from the so-called psedocelli spots. Members of the Folsomia genus would have attempted to jump away immediately, because they have a fully developed springtail underneath the hind body. The jump would often save their life.
You are absolutely right. All my data says Onychiuridae (didn't bother with a genus), but a colleague did this ID on the fly waaay back. I never updated it here, thanks for pointing it out!
The collembolan being attacked here is an onychiurid. They have this ability to defend themselves by excreting the noxious liquid from the so-called psedocelli spots. Members of the Folsomia genus would have attempted to jump away immediately, because they have a fully developed springtail underneath the hind body. The jump would often save their life.
phkrogh 1 year ago
@phkrogh
You are absolutely right. All my data says Onychiuridae (didn't bother with a genus), but a colleague did this ID on the fly waaay back. I never updated it here, thanks for pointing it out!
jeffreysnewton 1 year ago
Comment removed
phkrogh 1 year ago
@phkrogh
Meh, credit goes to you my friend.
jeffreysnewton 1 year ago
Yeh, I'd rather be a predatory Mesostig any day, or a long living Oribatid!
jeffreysnewton 3 years ago
HA! In most cases, it's really gotta suck being a Folsomia.... poor little guy leaves with a sucking abd. wound.
auWhisky 3 years ago