Ommatidium Collection

Compound eye of a fly, SEM Z340 / 0698
Compound eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a compound eye from a fruit fly (Drosophila busckii). The eye consists of many rounded lenses known as ommatidia

Dragonfly head C018 / 2394
Dragonfly head. Close-up of the head of a dragonfly (order Odonata), showing its large compound eyes (left and right). Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Irresistible
Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a hoverfly, also called flower fly or syrphid fly (family Syrphidae). The compound eyes are composed of numerous light sensing organs (ommatidia)

Ant compound eye, SEM C018 / 0552
Ant compound eye, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The units in a compound eye, the ommatidia, each contain a cornea and photoreceptor cells

Ant eye C018 / 2440
Ant eye. Close-up of the head of an ant (family Formicidae), showing on of its compound eyes. Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Butterfly eye, SEM C016 / 9382
Butterfly eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye (blue) of a butterfly, showing the individual lenses (ommatidia)

Wasp eye. Close-up of one of the compound eyes of a wasp (order Hymenoptera), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Bluebottle eye. Close-up of one of the compound eyes of a bluebottle (family Calliphoridae) fly, showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Dock bug C018 / 2474
Dock bug. Close-up of a dock bug (Coreus marginatus), showing its speckled body and one of its large compound eyes (round, upper right)

Cross section illustration through insect eye

Gall midge eye, SEM C016 / 9394
Gall midge eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of a gall midge (family Cecidomyiidae), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia)

Fly eye, SEM C016 / 9392
Fly eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye (red) of a fly (order Diptera), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, right) and hairs (blue)

Common blue damselfly eyes, SEM C016 / 9383
Common blue damselfly eyes, SEM. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a common blue damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum), showing its large compound eyes

Insect eye anatomy, artwork
Insect eye anatomy. Computer artwork showing the structure of a compound eye from an insect. Compound eyes are made up of individual lenses called ommatidia (hexagonal, blue, and far right)

Insect compound eye, SEM C018 / 0554
Insect compound eye, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The units in a compound eye, the ommatidia, each contain a cornea and photoreceptor cells

Electron microscopy water artefact, SEM C018 / 0557
Electron microscopy water artefact, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is the surface of a compound eye from a bee

Insect compound eye, SEM C018 / 0553
Insect compound eye, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The units in a compound eye, the ommatidia, each contain a cornea and photoreceptor cells

Fly compound eye lenses, SEM C018 / 0556
Fly compound eye lenses, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A compound eye consists of many rounded lenses known as ommatidia

Fruit fly compound eye lenses, SEM C018 / 0555
Fruit fly compound eye lenses, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A compound eye consists of many rounded lenses known as ommatidia

Fruit fly head C018 / 5815
Fruit fly (Tephritis postica) head. Each compound eye (green) is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia. Each ommatidium sends a signal to the flys brain

Damselfly eye. Close-up of one of the compound eyes of a damselfly (order Odonata), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Damselfly eye, light micrograph C014 / 4664
Damselfly eye. Light micrograph showing one of the compound eyes of a damselfly (order Odonata). Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Fly eye, SEM C014 / 4848
Fly eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal) that make up the compound eye of a fly

Damselfly head, light micrograph C014 / 4665
Damselfly head. Light micrograph of the head of a damselfly (order Odonata), showing its large compound eyes. Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Damselfly eye, light micrograph C014 / 4663
Damselfly eye. Light micrograph showing one of the compound eyes of a damselfly (order Odonata). Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Damselfly head, light micrograph C014 / 4662
Damselfly head. Light micrograph of the head of a damselfly (order Odonata), showing its large compound eyes. Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Damselfly head, light micrograph C014 / 4661
Damselfly head. Light micrograph of the head of a damselfly (order Odonata), showing its large compound eyes. Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Honey bee eye, SEM C016 / 8000
Honey bee eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of a honey bee (Apis sp.), showing the hairs that cover its body and the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Honey bee eye, SEM C016 / 7999
Honey bee eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of a honey bee (Apis sp.), showing the hairs that cover its body and the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Honey bee eye, SEM C016 / 7996
Honey bee eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of a honey bee (Apis sp.), showing the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Honey bee eye, SEM C016 / 7997
Honey bee eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of a honey bee (Apis sp.), showing the hairs that cover its body and the individual lenses (ommatidia, hexagonal)

Horsefly head C018 / 2406
Horsefly head. Close-up of the head of a horse fly (family Tabanidae), showing one of its large compound eyes (large, round). Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Fruit fly head C018 / 2472
Fruit fly head. Close-up of the head of a fruit fly (Tephritis postica), showing its small antennae (top left) and one of its large compound eyes

Dock bug head C018 / 2473
Dock bug head. Close-up of the head of a dock bug (Coreus marginatus), showing its large compound eyes. Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Horsefly eye C018 / 2407
Horsefly eye. Close-up of the head of a horse fly (family Tabanidae), showing one of its large compound eyes. Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia (small dots)

Horsefly head C018 / 2408
Horsefly head. Close-up of the head of a horse fly (family Tabanidae), showing its large compound eyes (upper left and right). Each compound eye is made up of numerous simple eyes called ommatidia

Crayfish compound eye, light micrograph
Crayfish compound eye. Light micrograph of a longitudinal section through the compound eye (top) of a freshwater crayfish (Astacus astacus)

Caddisfly head, SEM
Caddisfly head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a caddisfly (order Trichoptera). At centre are the flys mouthparts

Yellow dung fly head, SEM
Yellow dung fly head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a yellow dung fly (Scatophaga stercoraria)

Fly eye, SEM
Fly eye, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Flies have eyes made up of hundreds of individual ommatidia (rounded), each of which detects light from a different region

Gnat head, SEM
Gnat head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a gnat, a small type of fly (order Diptera), seen from the side

Compound eye of a mosquito, SEM
Compound eye of a mosquito. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of numerous lenses making up the surface of a compound eye from an Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)

Flys eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a flys (order Diptera) compound eye. The eye is made up of numerous visual units, known as ommatidia

Compound eye of a moth, SEM
Moths eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a section of a moths compound eye. The eye has been sliced to show its internal structure

Hover fly compound eye, SEM
Hover fly compound eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of numerous lenses making up the surface of a compound eye from a hover fly (family Syrphidae). These lenses are called ommatidia

Bee eye, SEM
Bee eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of a honey bee (Apis mellifera). Protective hairs cover its surface

Ant eye, SEM
Ant eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the compound eye of an ant. The eye consists of many rounded lenses known as ommatidia

Compound eye of a gnat, SEM
Compound eye. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a compound eye from a fungus gnat (family Sciaridae). The eye consists of many rounded lenses known as ommatidia

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Unveiling the Marvels of Ommatidium: A Glimpse into the Intricate World of Insect Vision" In the realm of insects, their eyes hold a mesmerizing secret - ommatidium. These tiny wonders are the building blocks of compound eyes, granting creatures like flies and dragonflies an extraordinary visual prowess. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images such as SEM Z340 / 0698 and C018 / 2394, we can delve into this captivating world. The allure is irresistible as we explore the intricate structure of an ant's compound eye in SEM C018 / 0552 or witness its individual eye in C018 / 2440. But it doesn't stop there; butterflies also possess these enchanting ommatidia, as showcased in SEM C016 / 9382. Even common blue damselflies boast remarkable vision with their unique eyes captured in SEM C016 / 9383. Let us not forget about other fascinating species. The bluebottle fly reveals its astonishing eye design while gall midges showcase their own distinct perspective through SEM C016 /9392 and C016/9394 respectively. And for those seeking a deeper understanding, a cross-section illustration takes us on a journey through insect eye anatomy. As we appreciate these breathtaking visuals and illustrations, let us marvel at nature's ingenuity displayed within each ommatidium. These structures enable insects to perceive light patterns beyond our comprehension, allowing them to navigate their surroundings with unparalleled precision. So next time you encounter a buzzing fly or catch sight of a delicate butterfly perched on blossoms, remember that behind those seemingly simple eyes lies an intricacy that captivates scientists and nature enthusiasts alike – the magnificent world of ommatidium.