Collembola form the largest subset of the decomposer community in the soil
ecosystem. They are known to feed on soil fungi, mycorrhizae, plant detritus and other
root derived products. A recent study revealed that one species of Collembola,
Protaphorura fimata completely switched from decomposer to herbivore when live roots
were present in the soil. The occurrence of this diet-switch among Collembola was tested
by examining the dietary preferences of Folsomia candida using the stable isotope
technique under controlled environment conditions. Tests were carried out in microcosms
where F. candida were offered live maize roots in C3 soil, along with 15N enriched
ryegrass litter. A partial diet-switch towards from detritus to live maize roots was
confirmed for F. candida. The diet-switch seemed to have been a response to both
improved food quality and greater food availability. The switch to live maize roots was
shown to improve the body growth of F. candida, although survival and reproduction
were unaffected. The occurrence of the diet switch was correlated to root abundance
(biomass)