Fly Mouthparts
by Dr Keith Wheeler/science Photo Library
Title
Fly Mouthparts
Artist
Dr Keith Wheeler/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Fly mouthparts. Light micrograph of the mouthparts of a hover fly (Eristalis tenax). Extending to left is the proboscis. The structures above the proboscis are palps. The proboscis is adapted to sucking up fluids and is tubular at the base (made up of the labrum in the centre and outer prementum), conveying saliva to the tip with its two lobed labella. The labella have branched pseudotracheae, which pass saliva to dissolve solid food and break it down using enzymes, after which the fluid is sucked back to the mouth by the pharyngeal pumps. Magnification: x36 when printed at 10 centimetres across.
Uploaded
October 8th, 2019
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