Something happened to the leaf-footed bug

[Saul]

This is a original photo of the leaf footed bug:

http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... highlight=

After three months I decided to try a new lightning setup and used the same specimen and got strange results:



What do mean these drops on the hair ? How they appeared ? Specimen was always kept in the dry warm room. It is not a water - after touching with the needle it looks like a oil.

Bigger:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/163 ... 2b87_o.jpg

[TheLostVertex]

Perhaps it is fat that has seeped out. I recall Rylee Isitt posting about having trouble cleaning insects which were leaking fats from their carapace(HERE). Keeping it in a warm place certainly could help a fat flow more easily.

Just a shot in the dark.

[ScottH]

Perhaps it is fat that has seeped out.

I think TheLostVertex has your answer above. It is amazing how much can fat/oils can come out of an insect. I have been collecting a representative sample of local beetles and I let my mounts set above paper for several weeks before moving into trays for this reason.

[Saul]

Steven, Scott thank you very much for your information ! This is good example of the "fat Capillary action "

[Olympusman]

Would an acetone bath dissolve the fat?

Mike