The Protonura sp. “Orange Springtail” is one of the newer species in the isopod and springtail hobby. The small arthropod has gained popularity in the last year despite not much being known about their origin and their care.
The Protonura sp. “Orange Springtail” is also labelled for sale as Bilobella braunerae since they are similar in size, roughly 4mm long and their overall appearance. The main difference is that the Protonura is orange as its name implies and is believed to have originated in Asia. There are hobbyists that refer to these rotund, brightly colored hexapods as “dirt Cheetos” or “dirt gummies”. Many hobbyists keep these arthropods for their own viewing pleasure much like the ant farms that graced many a child’s room.
The Protonura species “Orange Springtail” is kept one of two ways by many in the hobby, on flake soil substrate or on calcium bearing clay made for springtails. There are pros and cons to both culturing methods, mainly ease of removal from the main colonies by the keeper and the availability of sourcing the materials needed to set up the culture. Not everyone has access to rotting white wood needed to make the flake soil, however we have had some success personally keeping the Protonura “Orange Springtail” on a blend of commercially available reptile substrate with a blend of dead leaves and sphagnum moss.
These springtails seemingly tolerate a wide variety of applications in bioactive enclosures as well, if moisture levels remain damp and there is plenty of vegetation and decaying material for them to consume. Amphibian keepers have reported that the damp, humid environments created to house various frog species is the perfect setup for the Protonura sp. “Orange Springtail” as well, though they are very rarely seen in this application. One could also keep their new arthropod with other invertebrates such as arachnids, mantids, isopods and more.
While a habitat just for these delightful springtails can certainly be sourced ready-made, one can also use a variety of storage containers and bins to create one themselves. Target, Ikea and the Container Store offer many different sized acrylic or clear plastic options. I recommend one that is more shallow than high, and with no added ventilation holes, as these arthropods seem to like wiggling up the sides of the enclosure to congregate in the moisture left over from the condensation. Added ventilation occurs with these enclosures when the lid is removed for feeding supplemented foods and watering the substrate.
Once the container/ enclosure with which to keep them in is obtained, you can begin setup for your new species! The first enclosure set up method will include a soil substrate either one made on your own or bought from a supplier premade. Adding a minimum of two inches of substrate depending on the height of the enclosure to leave an air clearance of at least three inches. I recommend inoculating against gnats by spraying the new substrate with a tea made from mosquito bits and distilled water at this point.
The inclusion of some broken up pieces of sphagnum moss or a handful of dry leaves will help the soil not become impacted and provide hiding spots for the springtails as well as more places for the beneficial bacteria to grow. The Protonura sp. “Orange Springtails” will readily consume this bacterium, mold and any fungus found in their surroundings.
The addition of plants in the enclosure is not vital for the animals to thrive, though it may look more pleasing to the eye. If you do add plants, there has been no observation of the arthropods eating the leaves and stems, but they may try the roots or small shoots of developing areas on the plants. The Protonura species is more apt to devour the rotting and decomposing material than the newer green areas. The enclosure will benefit from a layer of leaf litter to keep moisture in the substrate and to help regulate humidity levels. Many keepers add botanical additions such as seed pods and other natural décor to their enclosures to provide some additional surface for the bacteria, or even for the springtails to climb and explore. These additional additives also provide a more pleasant experience for the viewer. If live plants are not added the Protonura sp. “Orange Springtails” do not need artificial light to provide a day / night cycle. The small animal also does not require a heat source of any kind, as they do not benefit from diapause (lowering of a temperature that causes activities like hibernation) or even need to partake in this habit.
In addition to letting our Protonura sp. “Orange Springtails” feast on the naturally occurring microflora in their enclosure, we also provide some supplemental foods for them. Repashy Morning Wood or Bug Burger is a widely available commercial product that has seen good results when sprinkled in the substrate in its powdered form. Many keepers also use various brands of fish flakes which provide protein that is theorized to increase reproduction. Dried proteins such as mealworms and minnows have also been given to the springtails with great results. Other keepers have had success with feeding a pinch of prepared springtail food twice weekly. Whichever food is chosen, it has been observed that these small arthropods have a voracious appetite.
While the Protonura sp. “Orange Springtail” seems to be a hardy species to keep, one must make sure that the substrate is sufficiently moist by spraying or watering the enclosure as needed. Every keeper will experience different ambient temperatures and humidity levels in their homes, so this part requires observation and can then be adjusted accordingly for each hobbyist.