What do earth fleas like? - briefly
Earth fleas thrive in moist habitats such as damp soil, leaf litter, and rotting organic material, where they feed chiefly on fungal hyphae, spores, and bacterial films.
What do earth fleas like? - in detail
Earth fleas, also known as springtails, are attracted to environments that provide abundant organic matter and high humidity. They thrive in moist leaf litter, decaying wood, and soil rich in fungal growth. Their primary food sources include:
- Fungal hyphae and spores
- Decaying plant material
- Bacterial colonies
- Algal films on damp surfaces
Moisture levels above 70 % relative humidity are optimal; desiccation quickly reduces activity and survival. Temperatures between 10 °C and 25 °C support rapid reproduction, while extreme heat or cold suppresses metabolism.
In addition to food, earth fleas prefer microhabitats that protect them from predators and physical disturbance. Typical shelters are:
- Under bark flakes
- Within moss cushions
- Inside humus layers of forest floors
- Beneath stones and fallen logs
Chemical cues also influence behavior. Certain volatile compounds released by decomposing vegetation act as attractants, whereas strong acids or alkaline conditions deter movement.
Reproductive cycles respond to resource abundance. When fungal growth peaks, egg production rises, leading to population booms. Conversely, scarcity of organic substrates triggers diapause or migration to more favorable niches.
Overall, the combination of moist, cool habitats rich in fungal and bacterial food sources defines the ecological preferences of these small arthropods.