Podura aquatica (Fig. 1) is often described as being extremely common and widespread on the surfaces of standing water. However, the map would suggest otherwise. There are suprisingly few records although where it occurs, the species can be abundant. In my experience,'swarms' of Collembola on puddles are invariably hypogastrurids, often mis-identified as 'Podura' in the popular press. Perhaps Podura aquatica is declining due to pesticide use and draining of wetland habitats.
     Podura aquatica has a prominent furca (Figs. 2 and 3) and the foot does not possess an empodium (Fig. 4). There are 8+8 ocelli and a post-antennal organ is absent.

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Fig. 1 (above): Live specimen of Podura aquatica of 2.0 mm in length collected by Frans Janssens from the surface of a pond.

Fig. 2 (above): Podura aquatica collected from Wicken Fen in November 1925 by C.H. Jackson.

Fig. 3 (above): Dens and mucro of the furca of Podura aquatica collected from Wroxham, Norfolk in May 1950 (collector not known).

Fig. 4 (left): Foot of the third leg of the same specimen of Podura aquatica shown in Fig. 3.