ᐅ House Photos Discussion Corner – Share Your Home Pictures!

Since yesterday (snowmelt/rain), we have thousands of small new inhabitants on the exterior facade and in the light well 😱

Fortunately, only on the outside so far 😉

I’m a nature lover: can anyone here help identify what these are / whether they are pests / or just a temporary phenomenon?

Thank you very much!

It looks a lot like tsetse flies.

dab_dab schrieb:

Since yesterday (snowmelt/rain), we have thousands of small new visitors on the exterior facade and in the light well 😱

Fortunately, so far only on the outside 😉

I’m a nature lover: can anyone possibly help identify what we have here / whether these are pests / or just a temporary phenomenon?

Many thanks!

These are snow fleas 🙂
Hypogastrura nivicola

"On frost-free days from late January onwards, countless individuals gather in depressions on the snow. Densities of 1,000 to 10,000 animals per m² (10.8 ft²) are common for C. sigillata and H. socialis; Desoria and Vertagopus usually occur at densities of less than one animal per m² (10.8 ft²). In parts of their distribution area, such as subalpine coniferous forests, these species are restricted during the summer half-year to accumulations of moist needle litter. The migrations presumably serve to find new habitats, as food resources in such limited local habitats are quickly depleted by mass reproduction. For longer-distance movements, the equally smooth and moist snow surface is far better suited than any forest floor. Obstacles can be overcome more easily, and snow-free habitats can be reached quickly, where reproduction can start early in the season. For the species Ceratophysella sigillata, it has been shown that late winter and spring are used for dispersal, feeding, and reproduction, while summer and autumn are spent in dormancy. In addition to temperature, humidity, and light exposure, fluctuations in air pressure are also suspected to control these migrations. At temperatures below −3°C (27°F), D. hiemalis seeks shelter under the snow surface or in the soil; below −7°C (19°F), the species enters chill coma. Cold tolerance of winter-active springtails varies between −2 and −44°C (28 and −47°F), depending on the species." Wikipedia

They produce their own antifreeze from the algae they feed on – very interesting little creatures.

I rather don’t believe that…

tomtom79 schrieb:

According to Golem and Heisse, there are very few women who want to become nerds :p

Because the nerds who are already wanted by women don’t have time to hang around on Golem and Heise feeling sorry for themselves. :P

@Holzhäuschen : After a brief search, I would say: bullseye!
Thank you very much for the detailed and interesting information!

And: I believe that much more easily and gladly than tsetse flies 😉