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Complete skeleton of a Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus). The Harris' hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey that breeds in the United States and South America. These raptors are unusual in that they hunt in packs or family groups. The Harris hawk wingspan (in articulated position) is 60 cm.

Complete skeleton of a Harris' hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the head of a bumble bee (Bombus). Two compound eyes (for accurate perception of movement), two antennae and lots of hairs are visible. Bees are important pollinators and play a crucial role in maintaining our environment, promoting the growth of crops and flowers many of which directly impact on our own health and wellbeing. Width of image is 6 mm.

Head of a bumble bee (Bombus), SEM

Scanning electron micrograph of a honeybee's eye. the honey bee has two large compound eyes made up of thousands of tiny light senstitive cells that detect light, colour and movement.

Honeybee eye

Scanning electron micrograph of the head of a honeybee showing the eyes, antennae and mouthparts. The honeybee has two large compound eyes on the side of its head made up of thousands of light sensitive cells that detect light, colour and movement. 



 The two antennae extending out the centre of the head primarily detect smell and may also help to judge flight speed. The mouth comprises a long central hairy tongue, or proboscis, to lap up nectar and honey (not shown in this image) and a pair of mandibles that are used for grasping and cutting. The mandibles are used to break open anthers to eat pollen, cut and shape wax and are also useful for griping the enemy in combat.

Head of a honeybee

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of a honeybee. The bee has a hairy thorax and segmented abdomen, a pair of double wings and three pairs of segmented legs. Each leg has a different 'tool' designed for a specific function to assist in the collection and transport of pollen to the hive. 


In order to preserve the fine detail on the bee's body this sample was not imaged in the conventional way. Normally, samples are coated in a fine layer of gold and imaged under high vacuum, However, this honeybee was imaged uncoated and under 'environmental conditions', resulting in the fluffy texture seen here.

Bees are important pollinators and play a crucial role in maintaining our environment, promoting the growth of crops and flowers many of which directly impact on our own health and wellbeing. The honeybee's complex flight pattern is also helping scientists to understand more about the how the brain works.

2011 Wellcome Image Award winner. Wellcome Image Awards 2011.

Honey Bee

Scanning electron micrograph of a single scale from a moth wing. The scale is still attached to its base which is visible in the lower part of the image. Scales cover the wings of Lepidoptera, an order of insects which includes moths and butterflies. What feels like powder when touching a moth are actually all scales. Horizontal width of image is 40 micrometres.

Moth wing scale, SEM

Scanning electron micrograph of a honeybee. Honey bees have a short hairy thorax and a long segmented abdomen, three pairs of segmented legs and a pair of large compound eyes, all of which can be seen clearly in this micrograph.

Honeybee

Differential interference contrast (DIC) micrograph of a parasitoid wasp in the Himopolynema genus. These so-called "fairy flies" are actually parasitoid wasps that attack the eggs of other insects. As a result, many are used successfully for the biological control of insect pests of agriculture and horticulture. Himopolynema is the only genus in the family known to have metallic colour. This species was collected in Kalimantan, Borneo in late 2013 and is currently being studied further to determine whether it is a new species or not. Length of parasitoid wasp is approximately 1 mm.

Fairy fly (Himopolynema), parasitoid wasp

This image shows the scales from the wing of a moon moth. It is native to the rain forests of Madagascar. It has spectacular wings and is also known for its long tail. As a result, it is also called the comet moth. The moon moth also has no mouth parts; all feeding is done in its caterpillar stage, which means it only lives ten days. This image was taken using a light microscope and a watercolour filter was added.

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Complete skeleton of a Harris' hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

Head of a bumble bee (Bombus), SEM

Honeybee eye

Head of a honeybee

Honey Bee

Moth wing scale, SEM

Honeybee

Fairy fly (Himopolynema), parasitoid wasp

Moth wing scales

Moth wing scales

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More filters

Active filters:

Complete skeleton of a Harris' hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

Head of a bumble bee (Bombus), SEM

Honeybee eye

Head of a honeybee

Honey Bee

Moth wing scale, SEM

Honeybee

Fairy fly (Himopolynema), parasitoid wasp

Moth wing scales

Moth wing scales

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

Today's opening times

Wellcome collection