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Suborder Collembola

This suborder is composed of very minute insects which possess the faculty of springing suddenly, and which when alarmed make use of this means of escaping. They are found in the spring in the Northern States on bright sunny days when the snow is thawing, frequently in great numbers on the surface of the snow. They are also found on the surface of water, in old wells, and even at considerable distances under the surface of the ground feeding apparently upon vegetable mold.

Five families are represented in the United States, which may be distinguished by the following table:

A ventral spring below the abdomen. . . . . I

No ventral spring below the abdomen. . . . . Family Aphoruridae

I--Ventral spring on the second from last abdominal segment. . . . . Family Poduridae

Ventral spring on the next to the last abdominal segment. . . . . 2

2--Abdomen elongate, cylindrical, much longer than broad. . . . . Family Entomobryidae

Abdomen globular, but little longer than broad. . . . . 3

3--Last segment of the antennae long, ringed. . . . . Family Smynthuridae

Last antennal segment short, with a whorl of hairs. . . . . Family Papiriidae