An alternative that I like to use in the lab is squinting and holding the sample really close to my face. Perhaps they used my method if the bugs weren’t big enough?
For sure, I just like posting stupid things on memes.
I think your lab needs to get you a giant magnifying glass with a light so your squinting days can continue. They’re super nice for things that can’t go under a microscope. So far I’ve been lucky myself, but many of my colleagues my age experience the same problem. Some day I would like to get a macro camera so I can just show them pictures.
Not to mention that some insects even have a bit of contrast between the lenses so it’s easier to understand they are compounded.
And additionally due to individual lenses compounded eyes arent smooth - by reflecting light at different angles you can make the “bumps” obvious.
Also if there is like a water droplet on grasshoppers eyes you can clearly see it’s surface structure. Just like you can see individual pixels on your (high dpi phone?) screen the same way.
No doubt there are insects big enough to be able to see the patterns on the eyes without magnification.
An alternative that I like to use in the lab is squinting and holding the sample really close to my face. Perhaps they used my method if the bugs weren’t big enough?
I mean, yes (Im losing that ability as I age :(), but also it’s not that far fetched to just conclude all insects are built about the same.
For sure, I just like posting stupid things on memes.
I think your lab needs to get you a giant magnifying glass with a light so your squinting days can continue. They’re super nice for things that can’t go under a microscope. So far I’ve been lucky myself, but many of my colleagues my age experience the same problem. Some day I would like to get a macro camera so I can just show them pictures.
Some day I would like to get a multi-camera bionic eye implants or like a Star Trek visor ribbed for my pleasure.
Tho I bet they didn’t study this ones eyes:
It’s called a fairy wasp (wiki/Megaphragma_mymaripenne) and it’s only the third smallest insect known.