Images Dated 23rd March 2004

SEM of male mosquito

Mosquito. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an unidentified male mosquito (family Culicidae). Its large compound eyes (cyan) can be seen at upper left. Its feathery antennae protrude from below them, with its long legs (brown, lower left) and wings (green) also seen. The males antennae are bushier than those of the females as they are used to detect mates by the precise frequency of their wingbeats. Mosquitoes feed using a proboscis (not clearly seen). Only the female mosquitoes feed on blood, the males feeding plant juices such as nectar. Magnification unknown

© STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

SEM of ground beetle

Ground beetle. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a ground or carab beetle (family Carabidae) with a fly (grey) in its jaws. The beetle's compound eyes (orange) are seen at lower left and top centre. Most of these beetles are fast-running carnivores which are active at night. They are named ground beetles as they spend most of their time on or under the ground. Magnification unknown

© STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY