• Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    73·
    3 months ago

    The eyes don’t make sense to me. How did they know to use this pattern? Are there some really big grasshoppers out there?

    • Obi@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      15·
      3 months ago

      No doubt there are insects big enough to be able to see the patterns on the eyes without magnification.

      • Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        3 months ago
        1. Exactly this. Just eyesight & time.
        2. Not to mention that some insects even have a bit of contrast between the lenses so it’s easier to understand they are compounded.
        3. And additionally due to individual lenses compounded eyes arent smooth - by reflecting light at different angles you can make the “bumps” obvious.
        4. Also if there is like a water droplet on grasshoppers eyes you can clearly see it’s surface structure. Just like you can see individual pixels on your (high dpi phone?) screen the same way.

        Tho I bet they didn’t study this ones eyes:

        It’s called a fairy wasp (wiki/Megaphragma_mymaripenne) and it’s only the third smallest insect known.

      • MeowZedong@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
        31·
        3 months ago

        An alternative that I like to use in the lab is squinting and holding the sample really close to my face. Perhaps they used my method if the bugs weren’t big enough?

        • Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          3 months ago

          I mean, yes (Im losing that ability as I age :(), but also it’s not that far fetched to just conclude all insects are built about the same.

          • MeowZedong@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
            21·
            3 months ago

            For sure, I just like posting stupid things on memes.

            I think your lab needs to get you a giant magnifying glass with a light so your squinting days can continue. They’re super nice for things that can’t go under a microscope. So far I’ve been lucky myself, but many of my colleagues my age experience the same problem. Some day I would like to get a macro camera so I can just show them pictures.

            • Evil_Shrubbery@lemm.eeEnglish
              1·
              3 months ago

              Some day I would like to get a multi-camera bionic eye implants or like a Star Trek visor ribbed for my pleasure.

    • Cethin@lemmy.zipEnglish
      5·
      3 months ago

      I’m sure they had plenty of experience with bugs in their environment, both alive and dead. I’m sure you can see the eyes pretty well close up.