Micro View of Bugs

Some examples of the weird and wonderful micro-structure of insects and other arthropods. All can be seen with 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.

Moth & Butterfly Wing Scales

Wing of a noctuid moth (Noctuidae) showing how the ordinary surface wing scales lie in overlapping rows. Together these scales form the intricate and often colourful wing patterns of moths and butterflies (incident light, x200).

Outer wing margin of a noctuid moth (Noctuidae) showing the very long scales which typically fringe the wing edges of most moths and butterflies (transmitted light, x200).

Shed scales from the forewing of the ringlet butterfly (Aphantopus hyperantus). The scales are modified hairs which have become broad and flattened (transmitted light, x200).

Shed scales from the forewing of the holy blue butterfly (Celastrina argiolus). The picture shows different types of dark coloured scales and also some very pale, translucent scales (transmitted light, x200).