False-colour scanning electron micrograph of a male Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata). The large compound eyes tinted blue dominate the hea

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False-colour scanning electron micrograph of a male Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata). The large compound eyes tinted blue dominate the head of the fly. The 'flags' above the eyes are male features. The reduced antennae, situated between the eyes, consist of two stubby protruberances decorated with bristle-like extensions called aristas. A pair of palps, or tactile feelers, are positioned above the trumpet- shaped opening of the proboscis at the bottom of the picture. The proboscis is a sucking tube which ends in two fleshy lobes called labellae. These mop up fermenting juices through a system of fine tubes. Magnification: x10 at 35mm size.

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Size: 4224px × 4498px
Photo credit: © DAVID SCHARF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, capitata, ceratitis, compound, eye, fly, fruit, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, medfly, mediterranean, nature, wildlife, zoology