Tomocerus longicornis is a common and widespread species, particularly in gardens. The antennae roll into coils when the animal is blown on (Figs. 1 and 2). The spines on the inner side of the dens are simple and there is a pair of large leaf-shaped scales present close to the point where the dentes join the manubrium (Fig. 3). The mucro is long and distinctive (Fig. 4). A unique character is the empodial appendage of the foot which is about 1.2 times as long as the claw (Fig. 5). Tomocerus longicornis is one of our largest springtails reaching 6 mm in length (not including the antennae).

Back to main page

Fig. 1 (above): Tomocerus longicornis of 6 mm in length photographed in a garden in Reading.

Fig. 2 (above): Tomocerus longicornis of 6 mm in length photographed in a garden in Reading.

Fig. 3 (above): Basal region of the dentes of Tomocerus longicornis collected from the New Forest in 1956 by H.E. Goto.

Fig. 4 (above): Mucro of Tomocerus longicornis collected from Padstow, Cornwall in March 1951 by T. Clay.

Fig. 5 (above): Foot of the first leg of the same specimen of  Tomocerus longicornis shown in Fig. 4.