Mouth Part Collection

Moth proboscis, SEM
Moth proboscis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the coiled proboscis of a moth (order Lepidoptera). The proboscis is an elongated part of the mouth

Head of a honey bee, SEM
Head of a honey bee (Apis mellifera), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The compound eyes (one seen) are either side of the antennae

Black Death rat flea, artwork
Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis), artwork. This flea was the primary vector of the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which caused the Black Death

Spiny spider, SEM
Spiny spider. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a spiny spider (Gasteracantha sp.), showing its characteristic spines (red) and large mouthparts (grey, centre left)

Thrip, SEM
Thrip. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a thrip or thunder fly (Heliothrips sp.). Its compound eyes (brown) and antennae (between eyes) are seen

Honey bee head, SEM
Honey bee head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a honey bee (Apis sp.). The compound eyes (red) are either side of the antennae

Fruit fly proboscis, SEM
Fruit fly proboscis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the coiled-up proboscis (lower centre) of a male fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)

Wandering spider C014 / 9804
Wandering spider. Close-up of the head of a wandering spider (Agroeca sp.), showing its eyes. Photographed in Poland

Wandering spider C014 / 9803
Wandering spider. Close-up of the head of a wandering spider (Agroeca sp.), showing its eyes. Photographed in Poland

Goldenrod crab spider catching a bee
Goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia) catching a bee. Photographed in Wroclaw, Poland

Crustacean parasite, light micrograph
Crustacean parasite. Dark-field light micrograph of the underside of a crustacean parasite (Argulus foliacea). This freshwater parasite of fish is usually found on carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Mayfly nymph head, SEM
Mayfly nymph head, scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Mayflies (order Ephemeroptera) are the oldest surviving winged insects

Lacewing larva head, SEM
Lacewing larva head (Chrysoperla carnea), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This insect preys on aphids, whitefly and other insects

Cat fleas head, SEM

Mosquito mouthparts, SEM
Mosquito mouthparts. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the mouthparts of a mosquito (family Culicidae). The head is at far right, with compound eyes (green)

Ant mouth, SEM
Ant mouthparts. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the mouthparts of an ant (family Formicidae). The powerful mandibles (jaws, centre and upper left) are overlapping

Greenfly, SEM
Greenfly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an aphid (sub-order Homoptera), or greenfly, feeding on a plant stem (right, green)

Soldier ant jaws, SEM
Soldier ant jaws. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a leaf-cutter ant (Atta sexdens). This is a soldier ant

Bee mouthparts, light micrograph. The two darker brown upper appendages are the mandibles (jaws), which are used for handling objects and for communicating with other bees

Blowfly head, SEM
Head of a blowfly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Lucilia sp. blowfly head. A female blowfly lays her eggs on dead bodies. This behaviour is studied by forensic entomologists

Flys proboscis, SEM
Flys proboscis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tip of the proboscis (snout) of an unidentified fly (order Diptera). Flies possess mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking

Thrips, SEM
Thrips. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a thrips, or thunder fly (order Thysanoptera), feeding inside a grass seed head

Flys proboscis, light micrograph
Flys proboscis. Light micrograph (LM) of the tip of the proboscis (snout) of a fly (order Diptera). Flies possess mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking

Hover fly head, SEM
Hover fly head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a hover fly (family Syrphidae). The compound eyes (pink) are composed of numerous facets (ommatidia)

Mealybug, SEM
Mealybug. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a female mealybug (Planococcus sp.). The females possess feeding mouthparts (lower right), but no wings

Red-shouldered ham beetle head, SEM
Red-shouldered ham beetle (Necrobia ruficollis) head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Forensic entomologists study this beetle because it feeds on dead bodies

Aphid head, SEM
Aphid. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of an aphid (sub-order Homoptera). The horn-like projections (top left and right corner) are antennae and compound eyes (orange)

Fungus weevil head, SEM
Weevil head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of an endangered fungus weevil (Notioxenus sp.). The mouthparts are at lower right

Moth proboscis, SEM
Moth proboscis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tip of a coiled proboscis of a moth (order Lepidoptera)

Fly mouthparts, light micrograph
Fly mouthparts. Light micrograph of the mouthparts (the palps and proboscis) of a house fly (Musca domestica), seen from below

Beetle larva head, SEM
Beetle larva head, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Beetles (order Coleoptera) are insects that have biting mouthparts and two pairs of wings

Fly proboscis, SEM
Fly proboscis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tip of the proboscis (snout) of an unidentified fly (order Diptera). Flies possess mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking

Flour beetle larva, SEM
Flour beetle larva, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Flour beetle (family Tenebrionidae) larvae are pests of cereal silos and are widely used as laboratory animals

Flour beetle, SEM
Flour beetle, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Flour beetles (family Tenebrionidae) are adapted to survive in very dry environments and can withstand high amounts of radiation

Water spider, SEM
Water spider. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a water spider (Argyroneta aquatica), showing its large jaws (mandibles, centre right) and its eyes (upper right). A

Tick, light micrograph
Tick. Light micrograph of the head of a male castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) showing its mouthparts (yellow). The mouthparts of a tick consist of three visible components

Lesser stag beetle (Dorcus parallelipipedus) on a path. Photographed in Kingcombe, Dorset, UK, in June

Jumping spider jaws, SEM
Jumping spider jaws. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a jumping spider (family Salticidae), showing its large jaws (mandibles, centre)

Fruit fly mouth, SEM
Fruit fly mouth. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the mouthparts of a fruit fly (Drosophila sp.), showing the large labium (centre) on the end of its tongue

Crab spider. Close-up of a crab spider (Misumena vatia) waiting for prey on a flower. Photographed in Umbria, Italy, in summer

Crab spider on a flower
Crab spider (Misumena vatia) waiting for prey on a flower. Photographed in Umbria, Italy, in summer

Rice weevil proboscis, SEM
Rice weevil atenna. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the end of a rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) proboscis. This weevil is a major pest of stored rice in warmer parts of the world

Arachnid anatomy, artwork
Arachnid anatomy. Computer artwork showing the main organs of a typical female arachnid. For the labelled diagram see image: C008/8703

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Exploring the Intricate World of Mouthparts: A Closer Look at Nature's Feeding Mechanisms Delicate and fascinating, the Moth proboscis reveals its intricate structure under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Nature's design never ceases to amaze. The Head of a honey bee, captured through SEM, showcases its specialized mouthparts perfectly adapted for sipping nectar from flowers. Truly a marvel of evolution. An artwork depicting the Black Death rat flea reminds us of the historical significance these tiny creatures held as carriers of deadly diseases. Their menacing mouthparts played a crucial role in transmitting such devastating plagues. Magnified by SEM, the spiny spider's mouthpart appears like an intimidating weapon designed for capturing prey with precision and efficiency. Meet Thrip - a minuscule insect whose SEM image exposes its unique mouthpart structure responsible for piercing plant tissues and extracting sap. Tick mouthparts captured under SEM reveal their formidable nature – sharp hooks and barbs that enable them to latch onto hosts securely while feeding on blood. Honey bee head viewed through SEM offers an up-close look at their versatile mouthparts which aid in tasks ranging from collecting pollen to producing beeswax. Fruit fly proboscis magnified by SEM showcases its slender yet powerful tube-like structure used for probing fruits or other food sources with remarkable accuracy. 9/10. Wandering spiders C014 / 9804 & C014 / 9803 exhibit distinct variations in their impressive mandibles when observed under high-resolution microscopy - nature's diversity knows no bounds. Goldenrod crab spider captures a bee. Witnessing this dramatic moment emphasizes how crucial well-adapted mouthparts are for survival in the animal kingdom. SEM imagery unveils sheep tick’s complex set of cutting structures that allow it to attach firmly onto host animals while causing discomfort or transmitting diseases.