High Definition Imagery Used in Photoing Insects

High-tech photography is helping scientists get closer than ever to the world of insects. Australian experts are sharing their unique collection of specimens with scientists around the world using high-definition imagery.

Our reporter Li Dong has the details.

Bugs are getting bigger and more dramatic at the Queensland Museum.

Curators have adapted imaging technology into a powerful tool for observing and cataloguing new species of insects.

While insects are not always appealing to the naked eye, this imaging technology lets collectors discover a new level of detail.

High-definition cameras are bringing it all into focus, down to the smallest detail. Cybertaxonomist Roy Larimer says the technology is similar to that used by computer game programmers and forensic scientists for crime-scene analysis.

"It's used to analyze trace evidence-hair, fiber, documents-everything from fibers to tool marks and ballistics as well, because it shows tremendous detail."
Larimer says rare insect specimens can now be observed in all their glory and gory detail.

"Once you photograph it, you see incredible detail-appendages and little antennae and claws and things that you couldn't see with the naked eye."

The museum's imaging system cost about 70-thousand U.S. dollars and was two years in the making.

Geoff Thompson, an insect illustrator with years of drawing experience, says it's now much simpler and faster to capture the images.

"I started off doing all this work by hand, so it would take me around about a week to do a full dorsal view of an insect."

Thompson says the results from the camera also allow scientists to easily share their research. Species native to Australia can be shown around the world without ever having to leave the museum.

"To try and put some of our definitive type specimens, these very precious specimens, up on the web so that scientists all over the world can look at them without risking sending them overseas."

Photographs of the museum's insect collection are expected to be catalogued, so the public can also get close up and personal with the critters they normally try to avoid.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.