Focus Stacked Image of a Bottle Fly Sponging Mouth Parts
Sep 29, 2023 22:13:58 #
This is a 10X magnification focus stacked image of a green bottle fly's mouth parts. They "sponge" the food which is one of the many reasons why flies are so nasty and spread illness and disease.
My simple mind thinks in simple ways so essentially, when a fly settles on the food, the labella (the hairy thing at the bottom) is pressed against the food. Rough ridges on the bottom form teeth which aid in breaking small food particles and some solid is dissolved in the saliva released on the food (ever so yummy!). This liquefied food enters a tiny opening by the capillary action and travels up to the mouth via the food channel.
So, one could say that flies suck..! Swat'em if you got'em..!
My simple mind thinks in simple ways so essentially, when a fly settles on the food, the labella (the hairy thing at the bottom) is pressed against the food. Rough ridges on the bottom form teeth which aid in breaking small food particles and some solid is dissolved in the saliva released on the food (ever so yummy!). This liquefied food enters a tiny opening by the capillary action and travels up to the mouth via the food channel.
So, one could say that flies suck..! Swat'em if you got'em..!
Sep 30, 2023 00:46:28 #
Sep 30, 2023 00:58:57 #
Sep 30, 2023 07:09:57 #
Sep 30, 2023 07:24:33 #
sippyjug104 wrote:
This is a 10X magnification focus stacked image of... (show quote)
Fantastic image!!!
Sep 30, 2023 08:55:05 #
"Rough ridges on the bottom form teeth which aid in breaking small food particles and some solid is dissolved in the saliva released on the food (ever so yummy!). This liquefied food enters a tiny opening by the capillary action and travels up to the mouth via the food channel."
A formidable beast... think about when insects were huge... OUCH "Insects reached their biggest sizes about 300 million years ago during the late Carboniferous and early Permian periods. This was the reign of the predatory griffinflies, giant dragonfly-like insects with wingspans of up to 28 inches."
A formidable beast... think about when insects were huge... OUCH "Insects reached their biggest sizes about 300 million years ago during the late Carboniferous and early Permian periods. This was the reign of the predatory griffinflies, giant dragonfly-like insects with wingspans of up to 28 inches."
Sep 30, 2023 09:33:22 #
Sep 30, 2023 09:35:54 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
Beautiful Sippy. You're pushing that macro/micro interface
Thanks, Curmudgeon. I replaced the internal flocking in the extension tubes, and I had to try it out.
Sep 30, 2023 09:37:09 #
raymondh wrote:
Another nightmare for Sigourney Weaver.
As usual, marvelous detail!
As usual, marvelous detail!
Thanks, Raymondh. The next time you see a fly on your food....keep this image in mind.
Sep 30, 2023 09:38:29 #
Sep 30, 2023 09:40:09 #
dpullum wrote:
"Rough ridges on the bottom form teeth which ... (show quote)
Dpullum, imagine the size of the fly swatters needed back then..!!!
Sep 30, 2023 11:16:55 #
Sep 30, 2023 11:44:51 #
kpmac wrote:
Magnificent.
Thanks, Kpmac. Not the most pleasant subject, however, it is a bit interesting to be able to see one.
Sep 30, 2023 11:59:10 #
dpullum wrote:
"Rough ridges on the bottom form teeth which ... (show quote)
Dupllum, attached is a view of the prestomial teeth (the rasp-like ridges) that the fly uses to break loose fine particles of food and to use saliva to help dissolve particles into a soup that it can draw up via capillary action into the feeding tube.
Sep 30, 2023 12:44:02 #
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