The Bovine Bugle

Things are hopping along the ski trail

The cross country skiing has been pretty good around the farm. On a few of our outings through the woods we have noticed a lot of snowfleas along the edges of wetter areas along the trail. I'm assuming this is due to the abundant moisture in the ground, the ground not being frozen, and temperatures for the winter being well above the long term average.

Snowfleas, or springtails, are an order of insects that are very primitive. They are soft-bodied, wingless, and hop about when a muscular structure at the tip of the abdomen is arched and released. The species feeds on microscopic fungi and algae, thus helping breakdown decaying masses of leaves and moss. The picture I took was a swarm of the common snowflea, dull black in color and often seen to blanket the snow. Another species seen here in the northeast is the snowmelt springtail, dull red in color and occuring more often in the spring as the snow melts. This must be the species of snowflea old-timers look for the hearld the start of maple sugaring season.

Yukon, our black Lab, loves the snow so much we kidded that we were worried he might come home infested with snowfleas! It's fun to ski through the woods almost every day, not knowing what interesting thing might catch your eye.

--Jonathan (left), Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont

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Posted by Blogger Chris at January 31, 2006 07:23 PM