Ecto Parasite Collection

Head louse, SEM
Head louse. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) clinging to a human hair. Head lice measure 2-3 millimetres in length

Sheep tick, SEM
Sheep tick. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus). The ticks mouthparts are between its two front legs

Flea circus. Artwork of a human flea (Pulex irritans) wearing a dress. This painting decorates the trailer of Hans Mathes Flea Circus

Eyelash mite tails, SEM
Eyelash mite tails. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tails (pink) of three eyelash, or follicle, mites (Demodex folliculorum), protruding from a human hair follicle

Medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis). Leeches are parasites that feed on blood. They attach themselves to the skin using suckers and create a wound with three sharp jaw plates

Trichodina parasite, light micrograph
Trichodina parasite. Differential interference contrast micrograph of Trichodina pediculus. This ciliate parasite lives on the skin, gills and mucous membranes of many aquatic animals

White-clawed Freshwater Crayfish (Austropotamobius italicus) adult male, close-up of claw with Parasitic Annelid (Branchiobdella astaci) ectoparasites attached, Italy, july

Sheep Tick (Ixodes ricinus) adult female, engorged, resting on fern frond, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, England

Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) adult, with butterflyfish feeding on ectoparasites from skin, Batu Abah, Nusa Penida, Bali, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Badger body louse, SEM
Badger body louse. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a badger body louse (Trichodectes melis). This is the second most common ectoparasite (external parasite) of the badger

Feather louse nymph, SEM
Feather louse nymph. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a feather louse nymph (family Ischnocera) on a feather. This is an ectoparasite (external parasite) of birds

Head lice, artwork
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), computer artwork. The louse at left has its lower (ventral) side facing upwards and the louse at right has its upper (dorsal) side facing upwards

Freshwater leechs head sucker, SEM
Freshwater leechs head sucker. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head sucker of a freshwater leech (Hirudo sp.). This parasite has two suckers

Badger body lice, SEM
Badger body lice. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of two badger body lice (Trichodectes melis) on badger hairs

Brown dog tick, SEM
Brown dog tick. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) engorged with blood. Ticks are parasitic arachnids

Squirrel flea antenna, SEM
Squirrel flea antenna. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the antenna of a Squirrel flea (Orchopeas howardi howardi)

Flea, SEM
Flea. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a flea (order Siphonaptera) found on a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). The flea has powerful legs adapted for jumping

Hedgehog tick, SEM
Hedgehog tick. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a hedgehog tick (Ixodes hexagonus) feeding. Its body is swollen with blood. Ticks are parasitic arachnids

Coloured SEM of a tick (Ixodes sp. ) in human skin
Feeding tick. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a tick (Ixodes sp. ) feeding head- down in human skin. Ticks are arachnids which parasitise mammals, birds and reptiles

Hedgehog flea, SEM
Hedgehog flea (Archaeopsylla erinacei), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The two structures protruding from the centre of the fleas head are sensory palps

Female tick feeding on a human leg

Hedgehog flea claws, SEM
Hedgehog flea claws. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of claws at the tip of a hedgehog fleas (Archaeopsylla erinacei) leg. The claws help to anchor the flea to its hosts fur

Bat tick, SEM
Bat tick. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a South American bat tick (order Acarina). Ticks are arachnid ectoparasites (external parasites)

Relapsing fever tick. Macrophotograph of a relapsing fever tick (Ornithodorus moubata) feeding on human blood. This soft-bodied tick is a parasite of humans

Squirrel flea, SEM
Squirrel flea (Orchopeas howardi howardi), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The two structures protruding from the centre of the fleas head are sensory palps

Honey bee mite, SEM
Honey bee mite. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a honey bee mite (Varroa sp.). Parasitic mites have decimated hives of wild and domesticated honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus), light micrograph. This wingless, blood-sucking fly is an ectoparasite of sheep. The hooks on the ends of its legs help it to attach to its host

Bat fly foot, SEM
Bat fly foot. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the foot of a bat fly (family Streblidae). These flies are ectoparasites (external parasites) of bats

Bat fly head, SEM
Bat fly head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a bat fly (family Streblidae). These flies are ectoparasites (external parasites) of bats

Bat fly, SEM
Bat fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a bat fly (family Streblidae). These flies are ectoparasites (external parasites) of bats

Tick feeding, artwork

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"Exploring the Intricate World of Ecto Parasites: From Head Lice to Fleas and Beyond" Delving into the microscopic realm, we uncover a captivating world teeming with ecto parasites. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we witness the minuscule yet formidable head louse, its tiny claws gripping onto human hair strands like a tightrope walker defying gravity. Moving on, our attention shifts to the sheep tick, another notorious ecto parasite that attaches itself firmly onto its host's skin. Under SEM, its intricate mouthparts resemble a menacing apparatus designed for bloodsucking survival. But not all ecto parasites evoke fear; some offer intriguing spectacles. Enter the flea circus, where these agile creatures perform acrobatic feats under magnification. Their vibrant colors and delicate structures astound as they leap through miniature hoops and balance on invisible tightropes. Venturing further into this hidden world reveals unexpected wonders. Eyelash mite tails come into focus under SEM, resembling wispy appendages that navigate their way amidst eyelashes without detection by their unsuspecting hosts. Intriguingly grotesque yet medically significant is the medicinal leech – an ancient remedy for various ailments. Its segmented body and powerful suction cups are revealed in vivid detail through SEM imagery. Stepping away from SEM but no less fascinating is the light micrograph showcasing Trichodina parasite - a circular organism with cilia adorning its surface like ethereal hairs dancing in water droplets. For those seeking unconventional curiosities within this realm of parasites, look no further than the colored SEM image capturing a flea penis in all its peculiar glory – an anatomical marvel tailored for reproduction. Zooming out slightly from individual organisms brings us to fleas mating captured under SEM - an intimate moment frozen in time as nature perpetuates itself through these tiny insects' union. Shifting gears slightly but still within this captivating ecosystem, we encounter the white-clawed freshwater crayfish.