Springtails, officially known as Collembola, are a small and incredibly common invertebrate and a big part of the soil mesofauna, worldwide. They’re objectively and categorically way better than horses, tigers, dogs, bush babies, koalas and hedgehogs.
Read MoreThe genus of Sminthurides contains many species, with quite a few solely water dwelling springtails worldwide. In the UK, S. aquaticus is by far the most common, although S. malmgreni can also be found in soil as well as skipping about happily on the water.
Read MoreWith a condition like Morgellons, apart from the usual evils lined up, like aliens, vaccines, government nanotechnology, the Illuminati and the devil, Collembola have become one of the main culprits behind any bout of frenzied itching and crawling sensations.
Read MoreWithin a few days of arriving, beneath the tree ferns at St Columba Falls in the east of Tasmania, I'd found and photographed my first Adelphoderia regina, a juvenile, complete with those bizarre neck organs. They were unmistakable. I also saw my first Acanthanura, the genus of famous Australian 'giant' springtails and got a leech in my eye. That was a great day.
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