Upperside Collection

Hornet mimic hoverfly. Close-up of a hornet mimic hoverfly (Volucella zonaria) feeding on flowers. This insect is a European species of hoverfly (family Syrphidae). Photographed in Poland

Taenaris urania butterfly, upperside and underside (Jairus butterfly, Papilio jairus)
FLO4681146 Taenaris urania butterfly, upperside and underside (Jairus butterfly, Papilio jairus). Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder

Forest giant owl butterfly, Caligo eurilochus, upperside 2, and underside 1. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Friedrich Johann Bertuchs Bilderbuch fur Kinder (Picture Book for Children)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) Flying behind the ferry that goes from Texel to Den Helder. Some people are throwing bread what the gulls are catching in flight, The Netherlands

Rhetenor blue morpho butterfly
Rhetenor blue morpho. View of the upper side of a Rhetenor blue morpho (Morpho rhetenor) butterfly. This species of butterfly is found in Surinam, French Guiana, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador

Little owl cicada. View of the upper side of a little owl (Pycna strix) cicada. This large aquatic insect was found in the USA. This specimen has a wingspan of 12cm

Antlion. View of the upper side of a Palparellus voeltzkowi antlion (family Myrmeleontidae) with its wings spread. This specimen was found in Madagascar and has a wingspan of 6cm

Malaysian dead leaf mantis
Mantis. View of the upper side of a Malaysian dead leaf mantis (Deroplatys lobata) with its wings spread. This insect inhabits Thailand, Java, Borneo, Indonesia, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula

Copepod fish parasite, Lepeophtheirus thompsoni.. Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcolored copperplate engraving from George Shaw

Sea slug, Onchidium typhae.. Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcolored copperplate engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodders The Naturalists Miscellany, London

Anchises cattleheart butterfly, Parides anchises.. Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcolored copperplate engraving from George Shaw

Caerois chorinaeus butterfly.. Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcolored copperplate engraving from George Shaw and Frederick Nodders The Naturalists Miscellany, London

Adonis blue butterfly, Polyommatus bellargus.. Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder. Handcolored copperplate engraving from George Shaw

Picture No. 10890528
Scotch Argus - upperside - resting on grass - introduced to area (Erbia aethiops) Date:

Picture No. 10890527
Marbled White - upperside - wings open at rest (Melanargia galathea) Date:

Picture No. 10890455
Dark-green Fritillary Butterfly - upperside - feeding on thistle (Mesoacidalia aglaja) Date:

Acrosterigma dalli (Cockle) shells, Plio-Pleistocene era

Banded vapourer (Aroa discalis), mounted male moth, both sides

Slit snail shell C019 / 1295
Slit snail shell. Shell of a slit snail (Bayerotrochus boucheti) sea snail. This marine gastropod mollusc is found off Norfolk Ridge, New Caledonia, in the southwest Pacific Ocean

Pebble crab (Etisus utilis). This crab lives at a depth of 10-15 metres in the Indo-Pacific regions. Its carapace (upper shell)

Male mallard landing on water C018 / 1780
Male mallard landing on water. The mallard, or wild duck, (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa

Euplotes protozoa, SEM C016 / 9040
Euplotes protozoa. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the upperside (bottom) and underside (top) of two Euplotes sp. hypotrich ciliate protozoa

Euplotes protozoa, SEM C016 / 9041
Euplotes protozoa. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the upperside (bottom) and underside (top) of two Euplotes sp. hypotrich ciliate protozoa

Leaf insect C016 / 2231
Leaf insect. View of the upperside of a Linnaeus leaf insect (Phyllium siccifolium). Specimen obtained from the University of Valencia, Spain

Leaf insect C016 / 2235
Leaf insect. Views of the upperside (left) and underside (right) of a Grays leaf insect (Phyllium bioculatum). This leaf insect is native to west Malaysia

African mantis C016 / 2286
African mantis (Sphodromantis viridis). This species of praying mantis is kept worldwide as a pet but is native to West Africa, south of the Sahara Desert

Leaf insect C016 / 2234
Leaf insect. View of the underside of a Grays leaf insect (Phyllium bioculatum). This leaf insect is native to west Malaysia. Specimen obtained from the University of Valencia, Spain

African mantis C016 / 2284
African mantis (Sphodromantis viridis). This species of praying mantis is kept worldwide as a pet but is native to West Africa, south of the Sahara Desert

Glyptoxanthus labyrinthicus crab. This crab is found on reefs along the Pacific coast of South America. Its carapace (upper shell) is covered in a series of channels (shown here)

Milkweed butterfly caterpillar, SEM C016 / 8030
Milkweed butterfly caterpillar. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the upper side of the larva of a milkweed (Euploea sp.) butterfly, showing its head (light, top)

Tarantula C016 / 7767
Tarantula. View of the upper side of a tarantula (family Theraphosidae). Photographed in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Crane fly, artwork
Crane fly. Computer artwork showing the upperside of a crane fly (family Tipulidae)

False blister beetle. Male false blister beetle (Oedemera podagrariae) a blade of grass. These common beetles are found throughout most of Europe and the Near East. Photographed in Poland

Western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) on a log. This insect was originally native the western USA (California)

Flea beetle on a thistle
Flea beetle (Sphaeroderma testaceum) on a spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) leaf. This insect is a species of leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae). Photographed in Zagan, Poland

Minotaur beetle. Female minotaur beetle (Typhaeus typhoeus) on sandy ground. This earth-boring dung beetle (family Geotrupidae)

Blackspotted pliers support beetle ( (Rhagium mordax) on a rotten tree stump. This species of longhorn beetle (family Cerambycidae) is found throughout much of Europe

Bishops mitre shield bug (Aelia acuminata) on a leaf. Photographed in Zagan, Poland

Forest bug on a leaf. Forest bugs (Pentatoma rufipes) are a species of shield bug (superfamily Pentatomoidea) that are common and widespread in forests and woodlands worldwide. Photographed in Poland

Rove beetle on moss
Rove beetle (Staphylinus caesareus) on moss. Rove beetles (family Staphylinidae) are the largest family of beetles, with approximately 58, 000 species worldwide. Photographed in Poland

Violet ground beetle on moss. The violet ground beetle, or rain beetle, (Carabus violaceus) is a nocturnal insect found throughout Europe and Japan. Photographed in Tatra National Park, Poland

Hoverfly on a leaf
Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) on a leaf. This is the most common hoverfly found in Britain. Photographed in Dorset, UK, in June

Comma butterfly on a flower. Comma (Polygonia c-album) butterflies range across Europe and temperate Asia to Japan, and south to Morocco. Photographed in Dorset, UK, in October

Red frog crab (Ranina ranina). This edible crab lives at a depth of 10-15 metres on the sea bed of the Indo-West Pacific, from the African east coast to Japan and across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii

Moon crab (Matuta victor). This swimming crab is found in the Indo-West Pacific and has legs that are flattened to enable it to swim efficiently through the water

Male Poupinia hirsuta crab. This crab lives at a depth of around 450 metres in Polynesia. The discovery of Poupinia hirsuta was a great scientific event for carcinologists (specialists in crabs)

Guard crab (Trapezia rufopunctata). This crab lives on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific, Maldives and Polynesia. The carapace (shell) of this specimen measures 2cm wide

Spotted rock crab (Carpilius maculatus). This edible crab lives at a depth of 10-15 metres in the Indo-West Pacific. Its carapace (upper shell)

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The world of upperside is a mesmerizing realm, filled with an array of fascinating creatures that captivate our imagination. From the Hornet mimic hoverfly, with its uncanny ability to imitate one of nature's fiercest predators, to Darwins beetle, which showcases intricate patterns on its vibrant wings. In this enchanting realm, we encounter the Forest giant owl butterfly, Caligo eurilochus, gracefully fluttering through sunlit glades. Its majestic wings bear striking markings resembling the wise eyes of an owl. But not all inhabitants are as graceful as butterflies; there is also the Copepod fish parasite, Lepeophtheirus thompsoni. This tiny creature may be small in size but possesses incredible adaptability and resourcefulness as it clings onto its host for survival. Venturing further into this magical world reveals the Sea slug, Onchidium typhae. With their vivid colors and unique shapes, these slugs showcase nature's creativity at its finest. Amongst the myriad of winged wonders resides Anchises cattleheart butterfly, Parides anchises. Its name alone evokes images of strength and resilience displayed by this magnificent species. Caerois chorinaeus butterfly adds another layer of beauty to this already breathtaking landscape with its delicate yet vibrant hues that seem to dance in harmony with each other. As we explore deeper into upperside territory, we come across Adonis blue butterfly Polyommatus bellargus - a true epitome of elegance and grace. Its azure wings shimmer under sunlight like precious gemstones adorning nature's crown. Taenaris urania butterfly enchants us with its ethereal beauty – a celestial being seemingly descended from heavens above – leaving us awestruck by such divine artistry crafted by Mother Nature herself.