Springtails (Lobella sp. “Thai Red”)

🐜 Technical Sheet – Lobella thai red

Scientific name: Lobella sp. “Thai Red”
Family: Neanuridae
Common name: Red tropical springtails
Type: Non-jumping tropical springtail
Origin: Southeast Asia
Size: 1 – 2 mm
Coloration: Intense red (high visibility)

🔬 Key Features

Unlike common springtails such as Folsomia candida, this species belongs to the Neanuridae family, characterized by a reduced or absent furcula, meaning they do not jump.

They have a more robust, segmented, and slightly granular body, giving them a unique appearance similar to tiny isopods or larvae.

🐾 Behavior

• Slower movement compared to other springtails
• Easy to observe
• Do not quickly disappear when the culture is disturbed

👉 Ideal for those who want a visible and active cleanup crew

🌡️ Environmental Conditions

Ideal temperature: 20 – 26 °C
Humidity: Very high (80 – 100%)
Lighting: Not required, prefer dark environments

🏡 Habitat & Care

They thrive in moist, organic-rich substrates such as coconut fiber, peat, or natural soil mixes. The substrate should always remain moist (not waterlogged) with moderate ventilation.

🍽️ Feeding

They primarily feed on:

• Substrate microflora (fungi and bacteria)
• Decomposing organic matter
• Plant debris

They readily accept supplements such as yeast, spirulina, or specific springtail food.

💡 Tip: Occasional calcium supplementation (calcium carbonate) may support colony health and enhance coloration.

🔁 Reproduction

Fast reproduction under optimal conditions. Colonies grow quickly and are easy to maintain long-term.

✅ Uses

• Cleanup crew for terrariums and paludariums
• Natural mold control
• Live food for reptile, amphibian, and arthropod hatchlings
• Nutritional supplement

👉 Their red coloration acts as a visual trigger, stimulating hunting behavior in species such as dart frogs and small geckos.

⭐ Advantages

• Highly visible due to red coloration
• Non-jumping (easy to manage)
• Slow, observable movement
• Fast reproduction rate
• Excellent for bioactive setups

⚠️ Recommendations

Avoid substrate drying out. Do not expose to direct sunlight. Maintain constant humidity for optimal growth and reproduction.