Aquatic insect larvae

[Robert Berdan]

I have been collecting at local ponds and even though I am searching more for rotifers, ciliates, hydra etc I manage to collect a few insect larvae as well.
The photos below were taken using a Zeiss Axioscope low power objectives 2.5X, 5X and 10X objectives and often I need to make panoramas to get the entire insect.

Chironomid larvae Darkfield and Polarizing microscopy

Chironomide closeup showing insect trachea

Water beetle larvae

Water beetle head

water mite note the happy face

[Smokedaddy]

Excellent images RB. I really like the Darkfield and Polarizing images.

[CEN]

Excellent set. As always

[Adalbert]

very nice

[Lou Jost]

Absolutely stunning!

[jpringle]

The first two are real eye catching. The effect on the second one - wow!