PICTURESET 'ZOOLOGY' NO. 811 ON FIRSTBOND (12 pcs)

Under strong enlargement the very filigree structure of the scales on butterfly wings is revealed. The scales allow light and radiant heat to penetrate while acting as inward insulation. The longitudinal ribbing of the scales causes the metallic shiser. The roof-shingle-like structure is striking.

The leech is one of the annelids, or segmented worms. They are blood-sucking, external parasites with suckers at both ends. They live in fresh water, and attack both cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals. Medical applications: for varicose veins and rheumatic diseases, and to regulate blood flow in the case of limb grafting (e.g. re-attached fingers). The leech produces the anticoagulant agent hirudin.

Ants communicate by means of their antennae. They palpate their conspecifics in rapid rhythmic progression. To permit optimum mobility, the feelers are attached by a ball-and-socket joint.

Diese aus Südostasien nach Mitteleuropa eingeschleppte Milbe parasitiert auf Bienen. In ihrer Heimat befällt sie nur Drohnenmaden, in Mitteleuropa jedoch auch die Maden der zukünftigen Arbeiterinnen. Die Varroa-Milbe ist für die Imkerwirtschaft von Bedeutung. Die Bekämpfung der Milben erfolgt durch eine mit Ameisensäure getränkte Pappe, die in den Bienenstock gelegt wird.

Papilio palinurus belongs to the impressive Swallowtail butterflies or Nymphalidae. The surface of a wing scale displays very fine veins. The inside of this scale is made up of many layers of chitin that have an exactly defined, same distance to each other. If light hits on it, a strong, green iridescence originates from interferen-ces inside the scale.

The eggs of most Water Bears are protected from external influences by a bizarre covering. Like the adult animals the eggs are able to survive for many years until they hatch at optimum environmental conditions.

The eye of a mosquito consists of several dozens of single eyes, attached to each other like honeycomb. Every single eye perceives a small cutting of the whole field of vision, the sensory impressions of the single eyes are processed in the brain to a general view. A mosquito can perceive quick movements much more clearly than a human being (up to 300 pictures/sec, person 60 pictures/sec).

The larvae of green lacewings feed predatory on aphids. They seize the aphids with their mandibles, transformed to big pliers and suck them.