Spiders, weevils, wasps, lice, mites and mosquitoes are among the creepiest subjects of the winners of Nikon's Small World microscope photography competition this year. Super-close-ups of eyes, tongues and silk spinnerets are amazingly beautiful, but also gross enough to induce shivers.
These delightfully disturbing photos are among the winners, honorable mentions and images of distinction selected for their originality, informational content, and visual impact by Nikon's judging panel of scientists, journalists and optical imaging experts. Nikon will announce the rankings at 10 a.m. ET today, including the top winner, who will receive $3,000 and some Nikon products. We'll have a post with all the winning images on Wired Science.
If your favorite from the tiny terrors contained in this gallery isn't among the winners, you can vote for it until Nov. 13 on the Small World Facebook page to win the popular vote.
Above:
House Spider
Harold Taylor, Kensworth, Dunstable, United Kingdom
Subject: House spider
Technique: Image stacking
Magnification: 30x