Springtails. Colony of Hypogastrura sp. springtails on wet concrete. Springtails (subclass Collembola) are primitive wingless hexapods that are frequently found in leaf litter and other decaying material. They have a hinged appendage on their abdomen that enables them to jump about a hundred times their body length in one leap. To move, the furcula is bent forward and held in place. When released, the springing action propels the animal through the air. Photographed in Poland.