Butterfly Tongue under Phase Contrast Microscope

RB40 Phase Microscope

The images below of a Victorian butterfly tongue were captured using the RB40 phase contrast microscope both with and without the 550nm green interference filter (IF550). Microscopy images were captured using the PaxCam2+ CCD microscope camera.

The butterfly tongue is called a proboscis and is shaped like a tube. A butterfly's tongue functions much like a flexible straw, and will uncoil when the butterfly wants to sip nectar from a flower.

All images below were captured using phase contrast microscopy.

Victorian Butterfly Tongue under RB40 microscope, PaxCam2+ camera, 100x phase contrast, color.

Victorian Butterfly Tongue under RB40 microscope, PaxCam2+ camera, 100x phase contrast, green interference filter.

Victorian Butterfly Tongue under RB40 microscope, PaxCam2+ camera, 100x phase contrast, GIF, monochrome.

Victorian Butterfly Tongue under RB40 microscope, PaxCam2+ camera, 400x phase contrast, color.

Victorian Butterfly Tongue under RB40 microscope, PaxCam2+ camera, 400x phase contrast, green interference filter.

Victorian Butterfly Tongue under RB40 microscope, PaxCam2+ camera, 400x phase contrast, GIF, monochrome.

View this page for more information on phase contrast.