If you live in the northern United States, this is a very common bug, but I haven't talked about it before. It's commonly called a snow flea, but it's not a flea. It's not an insect either, but it is a cousin of the insects. It's an arthropod like shrimp, crabs, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, insects, etc. Arthropod just means "jointed foot."
Did you notice in the pictures yesterday that there were black specks beside the feathers, on the snow? Those little guys are the snow fleas! Scientific name Hypogastrura nivicola.
I've made a short Shark Show you may enjoy.
 | Other arthropods See Horseshoe Crab See Wolf Spider |
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Wow! I never knew anything like this existed, especially in the snow.
ReplyDeleteThey look like black pepper in the snow.
ReplyDeleteThey are lifted when wind is blowing.
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ReplyDeleteMust be getting old I deleted that before I realized what I had pressed, clicky finger.
ReplyDeleteWill now have to start again: We have Springtails here but never heard them called Snow Fleas - I like the name it suits them :)
I absolutely LOVE this blog--have been a lurker for a long, long time. Thanks for a great and informative video! Also, thank you for sharing your unique outlook and fabulous photography.
ReplyDeleteI have seen them, though never knew them by name ~ thanks for the honorable introduction!
ReplyDeleteShowing you some love just because you posted on Talli's link you stripped off the WV.
ReplyDeleteHappy I live in SoCal where we only have regular, not snow fleas.
Brilliant Shark Show. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteI can't recall ever seeing these before but then again I don't do much outside when it's cold.
ReplyDeleteRatty- look for them on a warm day
ReplyDeleterainfield- I think they hunker down when it's windy
Carole- Either name is pretty cute.
Carolyn- lurk away! But thanks for coming out of hiding a bit. Comment whenever you want.
Rose- I bet you'll see them more often now that you know
Beverly- Thanks for coming by! We have regular fleas too- different time of year, though
Jean- Horray! Thanks for letting me know
Ann- I'm sure you have them- just keep your eyes open on sunny winter days