Micro View of Bugs

Some examples of the weird and wonderful micro-structure of insects and other arthropods. All can be seen with a low power microscope (up to x200). Almost any insect or other 'creepy-crawly' found around the house or garden can reveal a hidden world of minute hairs, spines, scales and delicate sculpturing over the body surface. The colour patterns on the body and wings of insects are often due to one or other of these microscopic features.

Contents - click on the links below for a micro view .....
 

A stereoscopic binocular microscope is by far the best for examining insects and other arthropods, since it gives an upright, three-dimensional view of the specimen. Many different models are available and local suppliers can be found on the internet. A useful little book for those with a special interest in microscopy is C. F. A. Pantin's Notes on Microscopical Techniques for Zoologists, published by Cambridge University Press (1962).