Fly foot, SEM

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Fly foot, SEM

Fly foot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tip of a leg of a March fly (family Bibionidae). A fly uses claws (one seen here) to help it grip rough surfaces. On smooth surfaces, the hairy pads (pulvilli, below claw) help the fly to grip the surface by secreting an adhesive

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Media ID 6460916

© SUSUMU NISHINAGA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Claw Diptera False Colour Foot Pulvilli Pulvillus Bibionidae False Coloured

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the intricate details of a fly's foot, captured using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The false-colored image reveals the mesmerizing beauty hidden within nature's smallest creatures. In this close-up view, we observe the tip of a leg belonging to a March fly from the Bibionidae family. The fly employs its claws, one prominently visible in this image, as an essential tool for gripping rough surfaces. However, on smoother surfaces, it relies on its hairy pads known as pulvilli located below the claw. These pads secrete an adhesive substance that enables the fly to firmly grasp and navigate across various terrains. The photograph not only highlights the remarkable adaptability of insects but also provides valuable insights into their biology and behavior. It serves as a testament to the wonders of zoology and entomology by capturing such intricate structures that often go unnoticed by our naked eyes. As we marvel at this colorful representation of scientific exploration, let us appreciate how even something as seemingly insignificant as a fly's foot can hold profound secrets waiting to be unraveled through advanced imaging techniques like SEM. This print is a reminder that there is still so much left to discover about our wild world and its diverse fauna – both big and small.

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