The Wonders in a Small World

[Ken Ramos]

I would like to share with all of you the wonderful world of microscopy. In these three images I have to present to you the beauty of the small insect called Collembola or the Springtail. There are many different species of this tiny insect and this is but one of the larger of the species to be found.

I hope that I have selected the proper forum for this post. If not, our Adminstrators or Moderators may move it to the appropriate forum. Thank you all for takeing a look.

First Image: Sony DSC P200 _at_ 7mgp (STD) Program, focus _at_ infinity
1/25 sec. _at_ f/2.8 ISO 100 EV +0.3
Zeiss Axiostar Plus Routine transmitted light microscope. 2.5X Zeiss A-Plan Objective, 25X
Duel Pipe Fiber Optic, Cold Halogen illumination

Second Image: Sony DSC P200 _at_ 7mgp (STD) Program, focus _at_ infinity
1/30 sec. _at_ f/2.8 ISO 100 EV +0.3
Zeiss Axiostar Plus Routine transmitted light microscope. 10X Zeiss A-Plan Objective, 100X
Duel Pipe Fiber Optic, Cold Halogen illumination

Third Image: Sony DSC P200 _at_ 7mgp (STD) Program, focus _at_ infinity
1/250 sec. _at_ f/2.8 ISO 100 EV +0.3
Zeiss Axiostar Plus Routine transmitted light microscope, 40X Zeiss A-Plan Objective, 400X
Halogen illumination w/clear blue filter and blue diffuser

Click on Images for Larger View!

[Linn]

those collombola have awfull sucking mouth parts.


Ken,
what is the last image of?

mold?
a product of collombolla?
like the sooty mold of some other yucky sucking insects I have met?

[Ken Ramos]

Hi Lynne

The last image is of the small scales found on the body of this particular Springtail. They are similar to the wing and body scales found on most butterflies and moths

[Linn]

oh you know what? my computer

I have to lighten that picture to see.
it was black thats why I
thought it was mold. sorry

[Ken Ramos]

Hi Lynne

Looks as though my microphotographs were not appreciated. The post is there but they, the microphotographs, are gone.

[Linn]

Hello ken,
I noticed they were gone too. Probably a technical thing.
I have been having things happen
and I thought it was just my computer.
Just PM a mod to find out. Remember that happened at your web site when the pic was missing.?

Some people like to look at things but not comment.

Ken, I was wondering if you have had an entomology class. That was a fun class not as boring as some others. One class we watched lady bugs eat aphids

It appears you are very knowlegable

[Ken Ramos]

Lynne wrote:

Ken, I was wondering if you have had an entomology class. That was a fun class not as boring as some others. One class we watched lady bugs eat aphids

No I have never had a class in Entomology. However I would like to have a BS in Protozoology if that were possible. Speaking of Ladybugs and Aphids however, I have tons of stereo-microphotographs of them, aphids that is, and a few of a ladybug larvae attacking an aphid or two. But they might belong in a different thread, since we would be off topic on this one.

[Linn]

Lynne wrote:

Ken, I was wondering if you have had an entomology class. That was a fun class not as boring as some others. One class we watched lady bugs eat aphids

No I have never had a class in Entomology. However I would like to have a BS in Protozoology if that were possible. Speaking of Ladybugs and Aphids however, I have tons of stereo-microphotographs of them, aphids that is, and a few of a ladybug larvae attacking an aphid or two. But they might belong in a different thread, since we would be off topic on this one.

I focused ON the study of butterflys and moths.
did a some presentation and a few papers on them.


True bugs are also very interesting. Like the assasin bug.
before school I just thought all bugs were bugs

Anyways,
we are getting off subject
I will get back to you on the peepers later.


I think I may havr some macros to post at your cite but I will let you check them out first.
Post on the gallery maybe?

[Linn]

Lynne wrote:

Ken, I was wondering if you have had an entomology class. That was a fun class not as boring as some others. One class we watched lady bugs eat aphids

No I have never had a class in Entomology. However I would like to have a BS in Protozoology if that were possible. Speaking of Ladybugs and Aphids however, I have tons of stereo-microphotographs of them, aphids that is, and a few of a ladybug larvae attacking an aphid or two. But they might belong in a different thread, since we would be off topic on this one.

I focused ON the study of butterflys and moths.
did a some presentation and a few papers on them.
True bugs are also very interesting. Like the assasin bug.
before school I just thought all bugs were bugs


I think I may havr some macros to post at your cite but I will let you check them out first.
Post on the gallery maybe?

[Ken Ramos]

I thought that the Apid and LadyBug discussion would be off topic but maybe not. After all this post was about those living things to be found in the area of microscopy.

Maybe this image will not be deleted, although it might come under attack by those who are "experts" in the area of insects and feel a need to polish their egos! However if this is not indeed a Lady Bug larva attacking the Aphid, then I would like verification with a link, showing exactly what it is. Well here goes.

Aphid being preyed upon by LadyBug larva
Sony DSC W5 _at_ 1mgp Program mode
1/10 sec. _at_ f/2.8 ISO 100 EV -0.3
Meiji EMZ-13TR Stereomicroscope with Micro Lite FV 1000 fluorescent illumination.

Click on image for larger view

[Linn]

Oh
too dark for me to see on my computer

Lady bug larvae are ugly and scary
and MAN do they hurt when they bite. They were all over my milkweeds last summer. I wonder if thats why my monarch eggs disappeared or if wasps got them? I had wanted the grandkids to see monarch caterpillars hatch and grow.

well I would like to see a thread on insects

and you should read the content of some other threads getting way off target

[Ken Ramos]

Lynne wrote:

Oh
too dark for me to see on my computer

Does your monitor have an "auto adjust?" I have a wide angle flat panel and it is bright and clear as it can be. You may need to adjust your monitor or maybe get a new one. I do not know if they fade like the old CRT's used to do or not but something is wrong.

I see they moved my post to Zoology Discussion. That is good Now I know where things like this go. Maybe an Entomology Forum would be good. Of course that would be up to our Administrator if he/she feels one would be appropriate or needed. Insects are quite interesting and some are just down right marvelous in their habits and physiological make up. My favorite insect is the Mayfly, they are so beautiful.