Silent witnesses

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The Entomological Collection at ETH Zurich is known for its beetles, among other
The Entomological Collection at ETH Zurich is known for its beetles, among other things. (All images: ETH Zürich / Daniel Winkler)
The Entomological Collection at ETH Zurich is known for its beetles, among other things. (All images: ETH Zürich / Daniel Winkler) - Once of interest only to enthusiasts, ETH Zurich's Entomological Collection now offers researchers a treasure trove of hidden knowledge. Four tightly closed doors protect the Entomological Collection of ETH Zurich from heat and daylight. The cold, dry air is the perfect environment for the two million insects that call these specimen drawers home - although it's not particularly comfortable for their human keepers. On a trolley in one of the aisles is a small brown box filled with fruit flies. Upon their return from the Czech Republic, they were first placed in a four-week quarantine at minus 20 degrees Celsius. All insects must undergo this process after shipping in order to keep out pests such as the dreaded museum beetle.
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