(a species of owlet moth (Noctuid)) Some caterpillars, after they emerge from their egg, can increase their weight by 25,000 times.

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The Biology of the Collembola (Springtails)

By Steve Hopkin

The Collembola, or springtails, are amongst the smallest but most successful animals. These tiny creatures are the most abundant insects in the world, found in vast numbers in almost all habitats from the seashore to the tops of mountains. Steve Hopkin, senior lecturer in Zoology at the University of Reading, takes us on a tour of the miniature world of the Collembola.

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Cartoon image of a snake disappearing through closing door

Last year nearly 100,000 specimens were loaned to scientific institutions and researchers worldwide.