Animals | December 7, 2012

15 Incredible Images of Bugs Up Close

by Jamie Frater

fact checked by Jamie Frater

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Scanning Electron Microscopy or SEM is a technique of photographing objects normally too small to see with the naked eye. The ability of these microscopes to get so close to otherwise hidden things makes for some surreal images. FEI is a company that manufactures Electron Microscopes and they have, for the last few years, run a regular competition for the best SEM photos. Below I have selected 15 of what I consider to be the best out of the hundreds sent in each year. To browse through the complete collection (which includes not just insects or coloured photos) check out the FEI Flickr page.

Bluebottle Maggot

Caterpillar

Dog Flea

Wasp Head

Bed Bug

Aphid on a Leaf

Gecko Leg

Parasitic Mite on a Mosquito

Moth Head

Spider Head

Marine Worm

Bee Head

Caterpillar

Embryonic Zebrafish

Mosquito Eyes

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fact checked by Jamie Frater

Jamie Frater

Jamie is the founder of Listverse. When he’s not doing research for new lists or collecting historical oddities, he can be found in the comments or on Facebook where he approves all friends requests!

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