Testing out a microscope mounted camera (wasp/bee)

Soldato
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11 May 2007
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I was originally going to post this in GD, but didn't. I don't own a fancy camera at home so it's just a bit of experimentation that I'd like you all to see. Who isn't interested in big close ups of insects?!

Had a bit of free time today and got out a few microscopes, some of them have mounts for cameras. We've got a handful of D60's and found an adaptor that mounts to the body. Also got a remote to avoid any shakes.

As for light, we've got a couple of these
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Here was the result. I fancy playing a bit more with different objects when I have more time.


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Quite an interesting bit on bee eyes / compound eyes - http://andygiger.com/science/beye/beyehome.html



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Kris.
 
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In before

My dad kills these for a living.
Let me go ask my dad.
Let me go ask my uncle.
Its a hornet.
Its a queen wasp.

Awesome pics, dude!

Any chance you could get pictures of the stingers? I am sure bee's are barbed, and wasps are not. Hence why if a bee stings you, its rips it's stomach out and dies :(
 
interesting.. the wings have minute hairs on them. i wonder why this is.

I didn't realise this until today, I'm guessing, but maybe it's just an aid to the way they fly by helping cause more drag and push? Interesting seeing them fly in slow motion on youtube.

As for stingers I didn't notice it on the bee, possibly why it was found dead somewhere. Could have a look at the wasp.

I also learnt today, the wasp has three 'simple' eyes at the centre of its forehead. A quick read seems to suggest they're used for stability and possibly detects polarised light for use in navigation.
 
Cool stuff, I like bee's. Never been so up close and personal with one though.

When I was around 3 I caught a bumble bee with my hands then ran over to my dad to show him. He still doesn't know how it didn't sting me. :p

Love the pictures.
 
Wow, awesome pictures, It would be great to see different insects if any more happen to turn up dead, or you could kill them.
 
When I was around 3 I caught a bumble bee with my hands then ran over to my dad to show him. He still doesn't know how it didn't sting me. :p

Love the pictures.

bumblebees are quite placid and can be handled gently.
 
Great pictures there. What magnification were you using on the eyes?

I'm fairly sure the eye piece and camera mount are 10x, and the smallest objective lens is 4x, followed by 10x, so 40x and 100x magnification.

The closest shot on the eyes would be 100x.

There's another two more, one requires oil immersion and the other was slightly too large.

If I spot anything interesting I'll hold onto it until I can get it back under the microscope when I have some free time.
 
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I'd imagine the hairs on the wings are some kind of sensor , like spiders cant actually see anything but the hairs they are covered in allow them to feel movement
 
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