A Spring Tale of Springtails
Teresa Rusinek, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Last week, I went to check on a problem a grower was having in his high tunnel cucumber crop. Carefully inspecting the leaves, I found many tiny, 1/16th of inch-long insects all over the cucumber plants. They jumped about from one cucumber plant to the next, munching away at tender foliage that was beginning to look like Swiss cheese!
The minuscule insects turned out to be springtails. In my 20+ years diagnosing vegetable pest problems, I've never come across these as a crop pest. For the most part springtails, also known as Collembola, feed on decaying plant material and are considered beneficial. But, under dry soil conditions, springtails seeking moisture may feed on and cause significant injury to young plants. The damage and appearance of springtails can look very much like flea beetles, but we don't typically see flea beetles attacking cucumber and the springtails are about half the size of a flea beetle. Similar to a flea beetle, they will spring away when disturbed using a structure under their abdomen called a furcular.
Springtails have been reported feeding on many veg crops including beans, beets broccoli potato radish, and even garlic. According to Cornell pest management guidelines, "These insects are generally susceptible to insecticides and are likely to be controlled when an application is made to control another seedling pest."
Springtails lay eggs in moist soil with high organic matter. The eggs hatch out into juveniles in about 10 days and then molt multiple times throughout the season. Adults may live through the year but only seem to be a problem to crops in May or June when plants are small and tender.
This article is from the May 17 2018 edition of the ENYCHP Vegetable News. Click Here to view the full newsletter.
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Upcoming Events
Ag Labor Road Show IX
December 1, 2025 : Save the Date! - Ag Labor Roadshow Webinar 1
In addition to the in-person Ag Labor Roadshow program in our region on December 9, two webinars are scheduled for December 1 and December 22. Each webinar will focus on different program content that is different from the in-person sessions. These webinars are an added benefit to program registration.
December 9, 2025 : Save the Date - Ag Labor Road Show In-Person Event (Greenwich, NY)
Greenwich, NY
The Roadshow delivers essential updates on labor law, regulations, and workforce best practices—tailored for farm owners, managers, and ag service providers. Sessions also focus on practical strategies to boost communication, strengthen retention, and build a positive workplace culture.
The in-person session for Eastern NY is December 9 - Elks Lodge, Greenwich, NY - full day in person session
Additional in-person sessions are:
December 10 - Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown, NY, December 17 - Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY, December 18 - Genesee Community College, Batavia, NY
December 22, 2025 : Save the Date! - Ag Labor Roadshow Webinar 2
In addition to the in-person Ag Labor Roadshow program in our region on December 9, two webinars are scheduled for December 1 and December 22. Each webinar will focus on different program content that is different from the in-person sessions. These webinars are an added benefit to program registration.
2026 Winter Cut Flower Webinar Series
January 6, 2026
The fifth annual CCE Cut Flower Webinar Series begins on January 6, 2026 and continues over 5 weeks on Tuesdays. This is a very popular series of online events you won't want to miss, with topflight speakers, a wide variety of subjects concerning growing cut flowers and plenty of interaction between speakers and attendees.
Tuesdays 1pm-3pm January 6, 2026 - February 3, 2026 (The webinar held on February 3 will run 1pm-4pm)
Cost: $60.00 for all five sessions, $20 for single sessions
Webinars will be recorded, and all the recordings will be sent to registrants for future review.
Expanding Farm Sales: Markets, Profits, and Branding Series
January 10, 2026
Looking to diversify where you sell your farm products? This four-part workshop series helps farmers explore new opportunities in direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and institutional markets. Learn how to meet buyer expectations, price for profitability, and build lasting relationships that support your business goals. Participants will strengthen marketing and communication skills, evaluate which sales channels best fit their farm, and connect with buyers, distributors, and local partners who can help expand their reach. Whether you're just starting out or ready to grow your market presence, this program will help you chart the right path for your farm's future.
Four Session Series: Saturdays from 10AM to Noon, January 10-January 31, 2026
Attend at one of three locations: Schoharie Extension Center - Cobleskill, NY; Otsego Education Center - Cooperstown, NY; Via Zoom
Pre-registration is requested! Fee: $25 Register Here
Any questions can be directed to Kelley Doolin at kmd322@cornell.edu