Sminthurus viridis (lucerne flea)

Sminthurus viridis is a springtail and not actually a flea.

It can ‘spring’ thanks to a specially-adapted appendage that protrudes from its abdomen.

It lives on the soil surface in a variety of habitats including grassland and woodland, and feeds on leguminous plants.

The species is native to Europe, but it is a pest on crops in countries in the southern hemisphere, including Australia and can reduce crop yields by up to 50 per cent.

Species detail

Taxonomy

For a long time, springtails were thought of as insects, but some recent studies have shown they may belong to a separate class - the Collembola. Discover some of their distinguishing features.
Distribution

Sminthurus viridis is native to Europe, where it lives in grassland and woodland. Find out what it likes to eat.
Biology

Springtails have an incomplete lifecycle without larval or pupal stages. Find out how they reproduce.
Behaviour

Unlike most springtails that eat decaying plant matter, Sminthurus viridis feasts on live plant material. In Australia it can decimate crops such as clover and lucerne. Find out what can be done to control this pest.
References

Get reference material for Sminthurus viridis.