FransJanssens@www.collembola.org
Isotomurus plumosus 20190215 Frans Janssens Belgium Limburg Opitter
Poor man's tablet macro
Three different stages of juvenile Isotomurus plumosus.
In addition a female Sminthurides malmgreni.
The Carex leaf is dry, decomposing and floating on the water. No algae are growing on the leaf. I assume they eat from the microscopic fungal growth on the leaf.
The main diagnostic character of plumosus is the thick middorsal longitudinal stripe. Lateral stripes are also present in adults, but absent or less developed in juveniles. A confirmatory diagnostic character is the distinct dot behind the eyes (pigmentation inbetween the eyes is absent).
Frame width = 6 mm
Isotomurus plumosus 20190215 Frans Janssens Belgium Limburg Opitter
Poor man's tablet macro
Three different stages of juvenile Isotomurus plumosus.
In addition a female Sminthurides malmgreni.
The Carex leaf is dry, decomposing and floating on the water. No algae are growing on the leaf. I assume they eat from the microscopic fungal growth on the leaf.
The main diagnostic character of plumosus is the thick middorsal longitudinal stripe. Lateral stripes are also present in adults, but absent or less developed in juveniles. A confirmatory diagnostic character is the distinct dot behind the eyes (pigmentation inbetween the eyes is absent).
Frame width = 6 mm