COLLEMBOLA > ENTOMOBRYOMORPHA > TOMOCEROIDEA > Tomoceridae

Although I mentioned on the previous page that any Tomocerus individual photographed locally would almost certainly be Tomocerus minor as Tomocerus vulgaris is so rarely recorded in this area of the country, I may well have found one in the back garden!

It's impossible to be sure without microscopic examination of the empodium (an appendage or raised projection on the foot), the teeth on the mucro (the tips of the furcula) and, perhaps most importantly according to the 'key', the dens (the basal part) to check the spines and absence of shaped scales. Obviously, this is all way beyond my comprehension or interest so, as with many springtail species, identity is tentative.

Yet, there are certain experts that study these species regularly who can often look at a photo and have a good indication based purely on appearance. In this case, the distinguishing feature is clearly visible as Tomocerus vulgaris is characterised by having transverse iridescent bands of scales that can be seen in natural light, compared with Tomocerus minor that has a far more uniform iridescence.

The individual featured here was deemed "a good bet for Tomocerus vulgaris, 95% confident from the photo".