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 a microscope digital 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, microscope camera, 100x phase contrast, color.

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

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

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

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

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

View this page for more information on phase contrast.