The danger is not really a size thing. The most venomous US scorpions are the Bark scorpions which are 15-20x larger.
Indeed, they fluoresce beautifully, the color ranging from a greenish-blue to a yellow.

Yes. Using Helicon Remote and Focus.

Actual size ~1cm = .4-inch

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So, there is some difference. With all settings and illumination constant the rail-stack does give an increased exposure compared to focus-stacked.

Turns out, it may be a bit more complex. I just ran a trial with no flash, fixed LED lights, and the camera moving on a rail. I still see an increase in illumination: it seems that as the camera gets closer the reflected light has a shorter distance to travel and therefore is more intense. Tomorrow I will try a stack changing the focus, which should keep a constant level of illumination.

Good point. I will use my remote flash when using the rail and see if it helps.
Thanks

I am working in a basement lab, with no natural light available. I may try a more aggressive diffusion set-up to reduce the hotspot problem.

Two LED lamps plus a Sigma ring flash that quit half way through. One problem I see quite often is that the exposure in the focus-stacked image is not the same as in the individual shots.

Typical New England. I picked this pussy willow bud in the middle of a snowstorm on the first day of spring.

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Many thanks for the replies on the forum and PM. I am working in a microscopy center with vibration reduction built in, so that is seldom a problem. I am using a Cognisys StackShot and Helicon remote for control, both of which have given very good results with regular macro.
The Nikon 10x MM sounds excellent, but I am having trouble locating it (is there a Nikon part number?)
I will report on my final choice and, I hope, some spectacular pictures.

I am looking into using a 10x or 20x microscope objective lens with my Nikon. Do any forum members have advice on quality/price experience, as well as practical advice on the set-up?

Thanks for all the input. I hadn't thought about shipping it separately, that may be the best solution.

I will be taking my entire set-up cross-country: far too much to carry-on. Any advice, past issues etc. on how to do this as hassle-free as possible?

Thanks

I like to put specimens on a piece of translucent plastic, and then put a light below as well as above. It eliminates most shadow problems.

Using Wikipedia as a source.
The actual locomotion is achieved less by the exertion of the leg muscles than by local changes of body length. This can be controlled using the annular and longitudinal muscles. If the annular muscles are contracted, the body cross-section is reduced, and the corresponding segment stretches, since its volume must remain constant due to the incompressible behaviour of the coelom's liquid contents; this is the usual mode of operation of the hydrostatic skeleton as also employed by other worms. Due to the stretching, the legs of the segment concerned are lifted and swung forward. Local contraction of the longitudinal muscles then shortens the appropriate segment, and the legs, which are now in contact with the ground, are moved to the rear. This part of the locomotive cycle is the actual leg stroke that is responsible for forward movement. The individual stretches and contractions of the segments are coordinated by the nervous system such that contraction waves run the length of the body, each pair of legs swinging forward and then down and rearward in order.