"Leaf Insect"

gpmatthews · Post by **gpmatthews** » Fri Oct 07, 2011 4:32 pm

This is an image from a slide in my collection. The slide is simply entitled "Leaf Insect". If anyone can tell me the identity of this insect I will be most grateful.

The image is a composite of six images stitched with MS ICE. I have not used stacking.

Microscope: Zeiss Standard
Objective: Leitz 16/0.45 NPL Fluotar ICT
Ocular: Zeiss KPL-W 10/18
Substage: Leitz ICT 0.9 NA
6 images stitched, MS ICE

Cactusdave · Post by **Cactusdave** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:22 am

Nice image Graham. The flattened shape and general appearance, with the hooked feet suggest a parasitic louse of some sort. Can't see the mouth parts in this dorsal view. The leaf-shaped appendages are fascinating.

gpmatthews · Post by **gpmatthews** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 12:16 pm

Can't see the mouth parts in this dorsal view.

- wasn't absolutely sure,but wondered whether this long feature is in fact the piercing mouth parts of a true bug:

(this is a nearly full resolution crop)

interestingly, you can see some striped muscle central left on the central axis

gpmatthews · Post by **gpmatthews** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 2:50 pm

Here are some more details:

The stitched image above, although viewed from the dorsal aspect was in fact effectively an optical section on the ventral side of the preparation, hence the structure I suspect to be mouth parts is indeed on the underside of the specimen. Here is an 8 image stack using a x40 DIC objective:

and here, using a x16 DIC objective is the dorsal surface of the abdomen:

Finally, as the feet were commented upon, here is a 16 image stack of the feet:

All stacks using Zerene after application of a dust map.

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 3:26 am

I think it is a hemipteran nymph with hairs highly modified as plastron scales to grip an air bubble.

Harold

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:09 pm

The images are excellent!

gpmatthews wrote:All stacks using Zerene after application of a dust map.

Can you say a few more words about the dust map? What software did you use to do that?

--Rik

gpmatthews · Post by **gpmatthews** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:03 pm

Thanks Rik - I used Helicon Filter.

Mitch640 · Post by **Mitch640** » Sun Oct 09, 2011 7:36 pm

Very interesting images. It's pretty easy to see why it's called a leaf insect. That guy has his own leaf collection.

RogelioMoreno · Post by **RogelioMoreno** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 4:15 am

Very nice!

Rogelio