An Easily Maintained Springtail Culture
Bob
Worthington
Last update: 17 August, 2002
Over the last two years I have managed to maintain, by a simple means, a very productive springtail culture. The culture basically exists with/on a white worm culture i.e. . I have raised white worms for many years for feeding to various newts and fish. Instructions on commercially available white worm cultures generally recommend temperatures of 20°C. These, however, are always short lived, requiring the frequent starting of new cultures.
I found many years ago that cultures obtained from my compost heap, kept in cool but frost free areas, did not suffer from this problem. One such culture, kept in a polystyrene container of the type used to transport tropical fish, has been maintained for over three years. The white worms are fed on ordinary white bread (no milk) in four areas, each area covered by pieces of slate approximately 100mm square. After some twelve months the underside of each piece of slate became covered with springtails, which have been harvested since May for my frogs. Part of the culture was passed on to Mick Bajcar, who has maintained it with equal success.
The culture is approximately 70mm deep and consists of old vivarium compost. The polystyrene container is kept uncovered, but wetter than if just for raising white worms. I have tried raising the springtails on various media, without the white worms being present. They survive, but are not prolific.
If anyone requires further information, please contact the group.