Mouth Parts Collection

Illustration of spiders, 1790 (hand coloured engraving)
937196 Illustration of spiders, 1790 (hand coloured engraving) by Schmuzer, Jacob Xavier (1733-1811); Private Collection; Prismatic Pictures; German, out of copyright

Spider anatomy, artwork
Spider anatomy. Computer artwork showing the main organs of a typical female spider

Green Spider - male showing palps - UK
SPH-896 Green Spider - male showing palps UK Araniella cucurbitina Steve Hopkin Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Moth eye and proboscis, SEM
Moth eye and proboscis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head and mouthparts of a moth. The compound eye (red) is large and the head is covered with scales (brown)

Dog flea, SEM
Dog flea. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis). Adult dog fleas are 2-4mm long and have long combs, known as ctenidia, on both the thorax and the head

PLM of sucking proboscis of butterfly P. brassicae
Head of a butterfly. Polarised light micrograph of the head and coiled proboscis of a Cabbage White butterfly, Pieris brassicae

Hover fly proboscis, SEM
Hover fly proboscis, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This flys mouthparts are adapted for piercing and sucking

Fly, SEM
Fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head & thorax of an unidentified fly (order Diptera). Its compound eye (yellow) and antennae (left) are seen. Magnification: x26 at 6x7cm size

Fly head, SEM
Fly head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Close-up of the head of a fly, showing its short antennae (upper centre), which are seen between its compound eyes (blue)

Scorpion fly mouth, SEM
Scorpion fly mouth. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a close-up of the mouth of a scorpion fly (Panorpa sp.)

Moth proboscis and eye, SEM
Moth proboscis and eye, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The compound eye (orange) is at right. The spiral-shaped sucking proboscis (at centre)

Black ant carrying grain seed
Black ant. Close up of a black ant (family Formicidae) carrying a grain seed in its large jaws (mandibles). Photographed in Israel

Bulldog ant - mandibles, used with tenacity to seize and hold prey before stinging it, hence the common name
AUS-504 Bulldog ant - mandibles, used with tenacity to seize and hold prey before stinging it, hence the common name. Australia Myrmecia brevinoda Jim Frazier-Densey Clyne / Auscape / ardea.com

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"Mouth Parts: A Fascinating World Revealed Through Microscopic Illustrations" Step into the intricate world with these captivating illustrations. Dating back to the 18th century, these hand-coloured engravings and microscopically detailed artworks offer a glimpse into the diverse anatomy of various creatures. In an enchanting illustration from 1790, we witness the delicate intricacies of a spider's mouth parts. Each tiny component is meticulously depicted, showcasing nature's remarkable design. Similarly, another engraving from the same era reveals multiple spiders in all their glory, highlighting their unique adaptations for feeding. Moving on to smaller organisms, an illustration from Musement Microscopique (1764) showcases an aphid's mouth parts. This microscopic marvel demonstrates how even seemingly insignificant creatures possess extraordinary structures that enable them to thrive. Garden enthusiasts will find interest in yet another illustration from Musement Microscopique which portrays various garden pests and their distinctive mouth parts. These depictions serve as a reminder that understanding such details can aid in pest control strategies while appreciating nature's diversity. Zooming further into this hidden realm, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images provide astonishingly detailed views of specific species' mouth parts. From the sheep tick to the black vine weevil and dog flea – each image captures minute features that contribute to their survival and interaction with hosts. Not limited to arthropods alone, our exploration extends towards moths and butterflies too. SEM imagery unveils mesmerizing close-ups of moth eyes coupled with proboscises used for feeding purposes. Delicate patterns adorn these organs while demonstrating nature's ingenuity at work. Lastly, we delve into butterfly anatomy through polarized light microscopy (PLM). The sucking proboscis of a butterfly named P. brassicae takes center stage here – its structure revealed in stunning detail under specialized lighting techniques. These captivating illustrations remind us that there is much more to creatures' mouth parts than meets the eye.