Culturing Temperate White Springtails (Folsomia candida or Collembola sp.) on Charcoal

If you have a naturalistic vivarium or terrarium, springtails are important to the health and longevity of your enclosed ecosystem by breaking down waste.  Springatils are also an excellent food source for poison frog froglets and adults.  Since most froglets, especially thumbnails and small Oophaga, are too small to eat fruit flies initially when they come out of water (oow), springtails are the perfect food source for them.  Adult Dendrobatids also enjoy snacking on springtails occasionally.  There are several ways to successfully culture springtails, including keeping them on charcoal, clay, soil, etc..  This tutorial describes how to easily culture springtails on charcoal.  Like I mention in all of my tutorials, find the way that works best for you and your particular needs.

Supplies:

  • Sandwich, takeout, or a similar container

  • Horticultural grade charcoal

  • Reverse osmosis (RO) water

  • Springtails

  • Springtail food -white rice, commercial food, or brewer’s yeast

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Fill the container about halfway with charcoal. You want to make sure there are some larger chunks of charcoal to make it it easier to tap springtails into enclosures and new cultures.

Fill the container about halfway with charcoal. You want to make sure there are some larger chunks of charcoal to make it it easier to tap springtails into enclosures and new cultures.

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Fill the container with RO water until about 2/3 of the charcoal is submerged. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to let the water get absorbed by the charcoal.

Fill the container with RO water until about 2/3 of the charcoal is submerged. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to let the water get absorbed by the charcoal.

Add your springtails to the container. It’s always ideal to add a decent amount to really get the culture started.

Add your springtails to the container. It’s always ideal to add a decent amount to really get the culture started.

Add a pinch of food to the container, close it, and you’re done!

Add a pinch of food to the container, close it, and you’re done!

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Check the culture a couple of times a week and feed as needed. As the colony grows, you will add more food. When you feed, make sure some air gets into container by fanning it or simply leaving the top off while you feed. The container shouldn’t h

Check the culture a couple of times a week and feed as needed. As the colony grows, you will add more food. When you feed, make sure some air gets into container by fanning it or simply leaving the top off while you feed. The container shouldn’t have any air holes. Store the cultures in an area that stays between 65-80°F and receives a normal day/night light cycle. Once the culture gets established, you can make new cultures and add springtails to your vivaria. Happy culturing!