Springtails are extraordinary creatures, they are arthropods living in soil, plants and decaying material adapted to the environment by developing a special comb-like pattern on their skin. This rhombic-hexagonal structure is responsible for the non-wetting properties of the springtail body.

Sample: springtail colony from orchid bark. Sample preparation and imaging from Anna Walkieicz: bio preparation protocol followed by Critical Point Drying (K850 CPD) and coating with 8nm of Pt (Q150V S plus).