Snow Fleas

In March the snow sometimes appears to be dark with thousands of tiny moving insects. These are are snow fleas, tiny harmless insects which have awakened from winter hibernation. They won't bother your plants or invade your home. Snow fleas are an old insect group know as springtails. They can move quickly when disturbed by unspringing a tail-like structure curled under their abdomen.

For more information see

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/insect/snowflea.htm

Cornell University

http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/DiagnosticLab/IDLFS/SnowFleas/SnowFleas.html