Moth Wing Scales

This is a cleared tapelift from a moth wing. Oblique illumination increases the contrast of morphological features such as the ridges in the colorless scales between the darker scales. Some morphological features may be missed if the contrast is not high enough and the observer is not looking for them.

Transmitted Oblique Illumination

Definition/Function:

Significance in the Environment:

Characteristic Features:

Associated Particles:

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scale_%28zoology%29
Needham, George Herbert, THE PRACTICLE USE OF THE MICROSCOPE INCLUDING PHOTOMICROGRAPHY, Charles C. Thomas Publisher, pp. 315-327, 1958