Orchesella cincta
The densely pigmented often yellowish third abdominal segment is characteristic, although the level of pigmentation is somewhat variable. They grow to around 4 mm so are just about recognisable with the naked eye. All the Orchesella species can have non-symmetrical antennae, possibly due to damage earlier in their life.
Various habitats such as under stones etc. It will also climb tree trunks to feed.
All year round.
One of the most common species of springtails in Britain.
Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland.
AJ Cann
Gumley
03 January 2019
AJ Cann
Leicester Botanic Garden
07 April 2018
David Nicholls
Ratby garden1
25 April 2009
David Nicholls
Swithland Wood
25 August 2011
HAPeacock
Leicester Garden
28 February 2012
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Species group:
- Springtails & Bristletails
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Entomobryomorpha
- Family:
- Entomobryidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 272
- First record:
- 25/04/2009 (Nicholls, David)
- Last record:
- 08/04/2025 (Higgott, Mike)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.
Latest images
Latest records
HAPeacock
Leicester Garden
26 February 2012
Graham Calow
Sapcote garden1
19 March 2012
juvenile
Graham Calow
Sapcote garden1
29 February 2012
Graham Calow
Sapcote garden1
11 April 2012
Mike Higgott
Anstey garden
01 March 2014
