Composite image of a globular springtail jumping
Adrian Smith
High-speed cameras have recorded the mesmerizing acrobatics of springtails as they propel themselves into the air, showcasing a spinning motion faster than any other animal on record.
Springtails, tiny arthropods belonging to a group closely related to insects, measure just millimeters in length and can be found in various habitats across the globe.
As their name suggests, these creatures utilize a tail-like structure known as a furca, which is tucked beneath their bodies, to launch themselves off the ground. The furca unfurls rapidly, propelling the springtails skyward and enabling them to escape from potential predators.
Adrian Smith, a researcher at North Carolina State University, collected round-bodied Dicyrtomina minuta specimens from leaf litter in his backyard for observation.
Smith expressed his astonishment at the behavior of these creatures, stating, “I brought them into the lab, filmed them, and was amazed by their agility.”
Teaming up with Jacob Harrison from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Smith used high-speed cameras to capture numerous instances of springtail somersaults. By subjecting the arthropods to bright lights and occasionally nudging them with a paintbrush, the researchers elicited the flips in controlled settings.
Each jump propelled these tiny performers up to 80 times their body length in a graceful, arched trajectory. The rate at which springtails spin during these jumps surpasses that of any other known animal, reaching speeds of up to 368 rotations per second.
Smith and Harrison observed that springtails exhibit two distinct landing techniques: an uncontrolled bouncing and rolling motion or a controlled stop aided by a specialized organ called a collophore, which can adhere to the ground.
The researchers are further investigating the mechanics behind springtail leaps, not only for scientific curiosity but also to draw inspiration for engineering applications. They are also studying the forward flips of plant lice, another group of arthropods known for their rapid escape maneuvers.
Smith emphasizes that despite our vast knowledge of the natural world, there are still countless phenomena waiting to be discovered. He remarks, “There’s so much incredible diversity right in front of us, just waiting to be explored.”
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