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Cleanup Crews (or CUC) are invertebrates that can be used in terrariums, reptile enclosures, and invertebrate enclosures to better replicate a natural environment. This is what is known as "bioactive." CUC springtails will cleanup mold blooms and break down rotting plants back into fertile soil. It has become accepted that springtails are a necessity in all terrariums and bioactive setups.
In the role of cleanup crew you can use multiple species to fill different niches. In nature you will find different springtails in all layers of the environment. The small moisture lovers are in the soil, the semi-arid springtails roam the detritus layer, and the arid springtails move out onto the sunbeaten ground. The guides below will help you discern the right species or combination of species for your specific needs.
Click the buttons to be guided to the springtails best for your needs and information about each specific setting.
Read through the alphabetically ordered
list below for species specific information to make sure the springtails you're getting
are what is right for you.
Arrhopalites caecus "Globular Cave Springtails"
Proven as a cleanup species. Best in moist and humid environments such as terrariums. Great for use in isopod bins and humid terrariums. Couples well with Lepidocyrtus.
Ceratophysella sp "Lilac Springtails" "Yellow Albino Springtails" "F1 Springtails" "White Albino Springtails"
Proven as a cleanup species. Best in moist and humid environments such as terrariums. They have a voracious appetite which is great for cleaning up soft uneaten food in invertebrates, such as snails, enclosures.
Coecobrya cf. tenebricosa "Tropical Pink Springtails"
Thoroughly proven as a cleanup species. Great for a variety of environments, high or low humidity, although they prefer high. They will roam onto dry land but not to the degree of arid springtails. Very fast breeding and aggressively hungry so can be used to take care of troublesome mold blooms and rotting plants. Great for use with isopods, roaches, millipedes, and reptiles. Has in some rare cases overwhelmed closed terrariums and can get into worrisome, although harmless, populations in invertebrate enclosures like isopod bins. Couples well with Folsomia candida.
Desoria trispinata "Blue Velvet Springtails"
So far unproven as a cleanup species, high potential. Only for moist and humid environments like terrariums and the wet side of invertebrate enclosures.
Entomobrya atrocincta "Dimorphic Springtails"
So far unproven as a cleanup species, low potential due to moderate breeding speed and preferential diet. Best for arid environments like reptile bioactives. They still require access to a small moist area for egg laying and moisture regulation; this can be as simple as a cup of wet sphagnum moss.
Entomobrya confusa "Varicolored Springtails"
Proven as a cleanup species. Great for a variety of environments, high or low humidity, although they prefer moderate. They will roam onto dry land but not to the degree of arid springtails. We recommend this species for terrariums and isopod bins.
Entomobrya multifasciata "Little Tiger Springtail"
Unproven as a cleanup species, moderate potential. This species may be better as a pet springtail rather than a CUC member as they are not particularly fast breeding or voracious. May still make a great addition to arid or arboreal display enclosures as they roam dry ground readily and prefer high ventilation. They still require access to a small moist area for egg laying and moisture regulation; this can be as simple as a cup of wet sphagnum moss.
Entomobrya sp "Wood Runner Springtails"
Proven as a cleanup species. Best for arid environments like reptile bioactives. They still require access to a small moist area for egg laying and moisture regulation; this can be as simple as a cup of wet sphagnum moss.
Entomobrya unostrigata "Cotton Springtails"
Thoroughly proven as an arid cleanup crew species, likely the best in the hobby for their intended environments. Best for arid environments like reptile bioactives. They still require access to a small moist area for egg laying and moisture regulation; this can be as simple as a cup of wet sphagnum moss. Couples very well with Pseudosinella violenta.
Folsomia candida "Common White Springtails"
Thoroughly proven as a cleanup species. Only for moist and humid environments; they will not tolerate dry land. The most common species for use with terrariums and for a good reason. This is an excellent CUC member that couples well with surface roaming springtails.
Homidia socia "Three-Lined Springtails"
So far unproven as a cleanup species, not enough known about species preferences to make any judgements.
Hypogastruridae sp "Tiny Blue Springtails" (Lake Keystone, OK)
So far unproven as a cleanup species, high potential in moist and humid environments because they are relatively fast breeding. They are very small with a dark color making them an attractive out-of-sight CUC option.
Isotoma delta
Unproven as a cleanup species, low potential. This species is better as a pet springtail than a CUC member. Slow breeding and not particularly aggressive feeders so unattractive for cleanup.
Isotomurus retardatus "Green Water Springtail"
Unproven as a cleanup species, high potential for paludariums and moist environments in general. This species is a true aquatic springtail adapted for roaming the surface of water but proven to culture on solid ground. They are extremely voracious and if enough food is available will reproduce extremely fast.
Lepidocyrtus sp "Micro Gold Springtails"
Proven as a cleanup species. Best for environments with a moisture gradient or potted plants. They will readily roam onto dry land, tolerant of humid terrariums as well. Great for isopod bins. Couples well with Arrhopalites caecus and Folsomia candida.
Lepidocyrtus sp "Pearlescent Springtails"
Proven as a cleanup species. Best for environments with a moisture gradient or potted plants. They will readily roam onto dry land, tolerant of humid terrariums as well. Great for isopod bins. Couples well with Arrhopalites caecus and Folsomia candida.
Lepidocyrtus sp "Silver Springtails"
Thoroughly proven as a cleanup species. Best for environments with a moisture gradient or potted plants. They will readily roam onto dry land. Great for isopod bins. This species and Lepidocyrtus like it are well known for popping up in bioactive setups all on their own. Couples well with Arrhopalites caecus and Folsomia candida.
Lepidocyrtus violaceus "Blacklight Springtails"
So far unproven as a cleanup species, not enough known about species preferences to make any judgements.
Neanura growae "Florida Orange Springtails"
This species is best for moist and humid environments and makes a great ornamental cleanup species. They will require supplemental feeding with springtail food in order to thrive, so they are best as a splash of color in your terrariums and isopod bins and not a dedicated CUC member. Should be coupled with other species such as Arrhopalites caecus and Lepidocyrtus for best cleanup results.
Onychiurinae sp "Little Soil Springtails" (LSS)
Thoroughly proven as a cleanup species. Only for moist and humid environments like terrariums. We have used this species with success in closed terrariums and moss grow bins. Not aggressive feeders so great for use with small and sensitive plants which larger and hungrier springtails may damage.
Orchesella ainsliei
So far unproven as a cleanup species, not enough known about species preferences to make any judgements.
Orchesella cincta
So far unproven as a cleanup species, but likely best as a large showcase species and not a dedicated CUC member. Best for semi-arid or well ventilated environments, doesn't like constant high humidity. In a CUC role should be used alongside a smaller species with greater cleanup potential such as Arrhopalites caecus and Lepidocyrtus.
Orchesella villosa
So far unproven as a cleanup species, but likely best as a large showcase species and not a dedicated CUC member. Best for semi-arid or well ventilated environments, doesn't like constant high humidity. In a CUC role should be used alongside a smaller species with greater cleanup potential such as Arrhopalites caecus and Lepidocyrtus.
Pogonognathellus dubius "Giant Silver Bullet Springtails" (GSB)
Proven as a cleanup species, but best as a large showcase species and not a dedicated CUC member. Best for moist to semi-arid environments, can tolerate low humidity. In a CUC role should be used alongside a smaller species with greater cleanup potential such as Arrhopalites caecus and Lepidocyrtus.
Proisotoma minuta "Blue Podura Springtails"
Proven as a cleanup species. Best in moist and humid environments such as terrariums. Very fast breeding and with a good appetite so can be used to take care of troublesome mold blooms and rotting plants.
Pseudosinella rolfsi "Runner Springtails"
Proven as a cleanup species. Best in moist and humid environments such as terrariums or invertebrate enclosures with deep substrate as they roam far underground. They don't roam onto dry ground, can be used in congruence with a species that does.
Pseudosinella violenta "Bylas Ant Springtails"
Thoroughly proven as a cleanup species, likely the very best multi-purpose CUC springtail in the hobby. Great for a variety of environments, high or low humidity, although they prefer high. They will roam onto dry land but not to the degree of arid springtails. Extremely fast breeding and aggressively hungry so can be used to take care of troublesome mold blooms and rotting plants. Great for use with isopods, roaches, millipedes, and reptiles. May overwhelm closed terrariums in some cases. Couples very well with Entomobrya unostrigata.
Seira #13
Unproven as a cleanup species, moderate potential. This species is moderately fast breeding and prefers arid environments and may compliment a more diverse CUC selection well with their striking appearance. They still require access to a small moist area for egg laying and moisture regulation; this can be as simple as a cup of wet sphagnum moss.
Seira bipunctata
Unproven as a cleanup species, high potential. This species is fast breeding and prefers arid environments. They still require access to a small moist area for egg laying and moisture regulation; this can be as simple as a cup of wet sphagnum moss.
Seira dowlingi
Proven as a cleanup species. This species prefers arid to semi-arid environments. In smaller population densities they spend much of their time underground and coupled with their dark body color makes them an attractive option for an out-of-sight CUC member. They still require access to a small moist area for egg laying and moisture regulation; this can be as simple as a cup of wet sphagnum moss.
Tomocerus minor "Giant Runner Springtails"
Unproven as a cleanup species. Best as a large showcase species and not a dedicated CUC member. Best for moist to semi-arid environments, can tolerate low humidity. Can be used in congruence with smaller species.
Tomocerus vulgaris
Unproven as a cleanup species. Best as a large showcase species and not a dedicated CUC member. Best for moist to semi-arid environments, can tolerate low humidity. Can be used in congruence with smaller species.
Vertagopus sp "Sombré Springtails"
So far unproven as a cleanup species, high potential. Very fast breeding and with a good appetite so can be used to take care of troublesome mold blooms and rotting plants.
Yuukianura aphoruroides "Orange Springtails"
This species is best for moist and humid environments and makes a great ornamental cleanup species. They will require supplemental feeding with springtail food in order to thrive, so they are best as a splash of color in your terrariums and isopod bins and not a dedicated CUC member. Should be coupled with other species such as Arrhopalites caecus and Lepidocyrtus for best cleanup results.
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