P. violenta Springtail Care

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Description

Pseudosinella violenta, or the "Bylas Ant Springtail", is among the best "cleanup-crew" type springtails because of their extremely fast reproduction and tolerance of a wide range of environments. First introduced to the hobby from a compost pile in Bylas, Arizona, P. violenta has taken the bioactive hobbies by storm. This species does incredibly well in a range of environments from humid tropical enclosures to arid desert setups (granted they still have access to a moist area). Bylas ant springtails are also a proven feeder animal for pets such as dart frogs and toads. Their hardy scaled bodies allow them to be dusted with supplements and still live to provide a hunt for pet herps.

As their name suggests this species is known to have an association with ants in the wild, being found in or near ant nests like many other Pseudosinella sp. or similar-in-appearance Cyphoderus sp. springtails. They are not found exclusively with ants though, the hobby stock for instance was collected with no ants in sight.

Appearance

Pseudosinella violenta reach 2-3mm in length. They are elongated with slightly rounded bodies, covered in white (but reflective) scales, and lacking eyes.

Reproduction

Bylas ant springtails reproduce extremely fast. They mature quickly if provided with ample food and have large broods.

Care

Level: Easy. Bylas ant springtails tolerate a range of temperatures and as long as the culture is mostly moist with moderate humidity will reproduce quickly.

Shopping List

Required:

• Gasket sealed bin (such as ezystorage or Mainstays brand) or 16-32oz airtight deli cups
• Substrate (Multiple options, listed most to least accessible)
  • Option One: Soil (Best option for this species)
    • Can be topsoil, coir, compost, potting soil, etc. Avoid soils with artificial fertilizers.
  • Option Two: Charcoal
    • 100% natural lump charcoal or horticultural charcoal are acceptable.
  • Option Three: Clay
    • Can be specialized springtail clays or any natural animal safe clay.
  • Option Four: Plaster/Carbon Blend
    • 9 parts plaster of paris to 1 part activated charcoal by volume.
• Animal safe water such as RO, distilled, or treated tap water.
• One or more food source such as:
  • Baking yeast
  • Brewer's yeast
  • Raw white rice

Recommended:

• Mesh rated 35 microns or finer
• Hot glue
• Spray or misting bottle
• Optional charcoal or bark hides

Enclosure

Features The enclosure should include:

• Moist substrate
• Optional hides for springtails to gather on and under
• Small ventilation hole with 35 micron or finer mesh glued over

Substrate (Multiple Options)

• Soil Substrate:
  • Bake soil at 220F until evenly heated to eliminate pests
  • Put 1 to 4in of soil into culture container
  • Optional charcoal or bark hides
  • Springtails gather on hides, remove and shake off hides to harvest the springtails
  • Soil with lots of hide covering allows for the fastest reproduction of this species, recommended for those with heavy harvesting needs
  • Larger containers such as 12qt ezystorage are excellent for culturing this species on soil
• Charcoal Substrate:
  • 1in water pool at bottom to keep culture moist
  • 2 to 4in charcoal layer
  • Remove and shake off individual pieces of charcoal or add water and pour out the springtails, which float, to harvest the springtails
• Clay Substrate:
  • 0.5 to 1cm thick layer of moist clay spread throughout culture container
  • Simply tilt and tap the culture to harvest the springtails
• Plaster/Carbon Blend Substrate:
  • Mix water and plaster/carbon blend into thick mixture
  • Pour 0.5 to 1cm into bottom of culture container
  • Let solidify for one hour or until fully solid
  • Rehydrate with small amounts of water at a time until fully moist
  • Simply tilt and tap the culture to harvest springtails

Temperature

Temperature should remain at room temp, roughly between 60-80°F (15-26°C).

Humidity

For optimal culturing conditions maintain humidity levels near 100%. This can be achieved by keeping the substrate moist, misting as needed, and keeping vent holes at a small size.

Hides

Bark and larger pieces of charcoal make ideal hides.

Feeding & Supplementation

Diet

Feed once or twice a week, enough for the springtails to finish between feedings without the food spoiling.

A diet of yeast such as baker's, brewer's, or nutritional yeast is common and sufficient. Dry raw white rice or fish foods are also sufficient. Optionally mixes could be used with the listed foods as well as mushroom powders, spirulina, and other food powders.

Supplementation

No supplementation is necessary but a varied diet may be helpful.