Low-cost circular LED dome lighting system for Insecta (Hexapoda) image capture in self-assembly stereomicroscope

Abstract

The use of high-resolution images in studies of morphology, taxonomy and systematics has been increasingly frequent, especially in Insecta. However, suitable lighting systems are still very expensive and/or difficult to use. On the other hand, currently the use of 3D printers has helped to make lighting equipment more accessible for researchers to equip their laboratories. Here we present a low-cost circular LED dome lighting system for capturing scientific micro and macro photography on a self-assembly stereomicroscope. We also present the necessary components for making the dome, as well as the elements used to capture the photographs.

Taxonomic revision of Eunanus Ohaus, 1909 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), with first records and two new species from Brazil

“…The morphological terminology follows Beutel and Lawrence (2005) supplemented by Lawrence et al (2010); body measurements, puncture density, puncture size and density of setae of surface are based on Jameson and Ratcliffe (2011). Colour pictures of the specimens from CERPE were taken using a stereomicroscope self‐assembly, model Leica M205 C with FusionOptics™, with an attached digital camera, model Leica DFC295, with the software Leica Application Suite LAS EZ Version 3.8.0, using the lighting system developed by Ferreira et al (2021).…”

New species of Bolbapium Boucomont, 1910 (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) from Brazil

“…Photographs were captured using a self-assembled stereomicroscope (model Leica M205 C with FusionOptics™) equipped with a digital camera (model Leica DFC295) and the Leica Application Suite LAS EZ Version 3.8.0 software. The lighting system used was developed by Ferreira et al (2021). The aedeagus preparation followed the protocol of Cristovão & Vaz-de-Mello (2020), while the morphological terminology used was based on Beutel & Lawrence (2005) and Lawrence et al (2010).…”

The taxonomic status of Pelidnota gounellei (Ohaus, 1908) and Pelidnota ludovici Ohaus, 1905 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Melolonthidae)

“…This study was based on 46 specimens of P. gounellei (Ohaus); 1 specimen of P. ebenina (Blanchard) The morphological terminology follows Beutel and Lawrence (2005) supplemented by Lawrence et al (2010), and the body measurements, puncture density, puncture size and density of setae follow Jameson and Ratcliffe (2011). Color pictures of the specimens were taken using a Leica MC170 HD digital camera attached in stereomicroscope Leica SAPO with the software Leica Application Suite LAS EZ Version 3.4.0, using the lighting system developed by Ferreira et al (2021b).…”