Moth Wing Scales

This is a cleared tapelift from a moth wing. Brightfield Kohler illumination optimizes the resolution of objects in general and is the best starting point for observation through the microscope. Modifications, such as adjustments of the substage condenser iris, darkfield, or oblique illumination may be required to optimize the image for morphological features such as the ridges in the colorless scales between the darker scales. Some morphological features may be missed if the contrast is not high enough and the observer is not looking for them.