• Sex comb shows it's a male
  • Doesn't the dark tipped abdomen also show that? But then, if you can see the darn comb, if your macro is THAT good, why not use the comb? - Ceuthophilus
  • wonderful detail! - Ceuthophilus

Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster, male)

A serious macro challenge (or rather about 50 very micro challenges) arrived in our kitchen with a bag of very ripe New Zealand Kiwi fruit ... That miniscule genetic research model organism Drosophila melanogaster, the lover of dew, is only 2,5mm long! Luckily he stayed still on the roll of kitchen paper while I set up the tripod and close up rings to give my maximum extension of 65mm - impressive eh? - even that didn't frighten him ;-) With a subject this size, even at f/22, there's not enough depth of field to get him all in focus. No red-eye correction needed either ! The sex-comb of black bristles on his front leg shows he's a male ...

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    mimbrava, Anieteke, Rafael Peñaloza, sandrino, and 24 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. mimbrava (92 months ago | reply)

    OMG, this is a wonderful shot. Congratulations.

  3. mimbrava (92 months ago | reply)

    OMG, this is a wonderful shot and informative caption. Congratulations.

  4. Anieteke (92 months ago | reply)

    The ultimate macro (or micro) challenge!

    Very very very good!

  5. Rafael Peñaloza (92 months ago | reply)

    Completely amazing. And thank you for the information.

  6. sandrino (92 months ago | reply)

    Wicked cool!

  7. dogfaceboy (92 months ago | reply)

    HOLY SHIT! You are the Macro Man! (Let's all sing it, to the tune of "Macho Man," by the Village People.) Honestly stunning. The paper towel looks plastic.

  8. Max xx (92 months ago | reply)

    Thanks people - I didn't realise it was a male till I looked at the photo and yes the dark tip shows it's a male - I couldn't believe my luck when I could see sex comb. I haven't deiscovered what they use it for (maybe for VillagePeople-like Drosophila hairstyles). I was watching them again later today as the sun warmed them up and the males were doing their amazing wing vibrating courtship display. They've now decided to invade the grapes on the vine outside ...

  9. sheyne (92 months ago | reply)

    You Da Man Max! What a shot and what a cheeky fly!

  10. Jeff Clow (92 months ago | reply)

    My compliments...this is a terrific photo image...!

  11. By me... (92 months ago | reply)

    what a beautiful picture...and you know, as a biologist i couldn't help feeling "identified" LOL!beautiful pictures...amazing Macro!!

  12. Max xx (92 months ago | reply)

    Well I didn't know you were a biologist - but maybe I was subconsciously thinking of you - I dedicate this photo to you ;-)

  13. John Padmarajan [deleted] (85 months ago | reply)

    excellent capture... I like it....

  14. Greg Adams Photography (85 months ago | reply)

    Wow!! Amazing macro! Love the detail!!

    (from Scientist Photographers group)

  15. Trazy (85 months ago | reply)

    Fantastic shot!!

    (from Scientist Photographers group)

  16. Max xx (80 months ago | reply)

    wonderful little things aren't they Antonia?

  17. CatDancing (80 months ago | reply)

    Amazing shot! I'm impressed.

  18. Colin Purrington (79 months ago | reply)

    I think the sex combs are important in sexual selection.

  19. PeterEdin (75 months ago | reply)

    Call me weird if you want, but I love these little flies :-)

  20. andreaskeller1972 (71 months ago | reply)

    Males use the sex combs to hold on to the female's wings during copulation. Great shot!!

  21. davidlaing (65 months ago | reply)

    Thank you for the candor, that is a friendly way. I wondered if anyone knew about decussating optic nerves leading to the thorax of Drosophila melanogaster, these only develop for late developing ommatidia. Volunteer anybody? davidlaing@yahoo.com

  22. Max xx (65 months ago | reply)

    this is way beyond my Dros knowledge!

  23. Carine06 (60 months ago | reply)

    What big eyes you have! Great close-up.

  24. paulojdferreira (55 months ago | reply)

    Hello, my name's Paulo Ferreira and I'm an image editor/documentalist in a (Portuguese) school books publishing house.

    I'd like to use this photo in a biology manual. If you agree with my request, would you be so kind to send me by e-mail (to pferreira@santillana.pt) one hi-res version of this photo.

    I am also looking for a drosophila female shot..

    All the photos will be credited and appreciated.

    Kind regards,
    Paulo Ferreira
    pferreira@santillana.pt
    www.santillana.pt

  25. operian (43 months ago | reply)

    I have liked this tiny creature all along! Now even more :)

  26. tapu_eco (41 months ago | reply)

    terrific man........keep on wid dis spirit.......

  27. Anna Barnett (40 months ago | reply)

    This is so clever...what a great shot!!

  28. BlueRidgeKitties (37 months ago | reply)

    Great fly portrait! I'm an admin for a group called Life Sciences Teaching Resource, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  29. PeterEdin (37 months ago | reply)

    The black abdomen shows its a male as well. (Its darker than the female).

  30. Brian Grone (24 months ago | reply)

    Thanks for using Creative Commons licensing. I adapted this image, with attribution, for a review on synaptic homeostasis that has been submitted to Trends in Neurosciences.

  31. Max xx (24 months ago | reply)

    Many thanks Brian! - please send me a pdf of the article when it appears, I'd much appreciate it.

  32. This photo was invited and added to the Life Sciences Teaching Resource group.

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