Blood Sucking Collection

Head louse, SEM
Head louse. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) clinging to a human hair. Head lice measure 2-3 millimetres in length

Culex mosquito, SEM
Culex mosquito. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Culex sp. mosquito. The mosquitos head is dominated by its large compound eyes (brown spheres)

Flea circus. Artwork of a human flea (Pulex irritans) wearing a dress. This painting decorates the trailer of Hans Mathes Flea Circus

The liar
Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a deer ked (Lipoptena cervi). L. cervi lives as an ectoparasite on deer, moose and other cervids

Medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis). Leeches are parasites that feed on blood. They attach themselves to the skin using suckers and create a wound with three sharp jaw plates

Pale giant horse fly C014 / 9676
Common horse fly. Close-up of a pale giant horse fly (Tabanus bovinus), or cleg, showing its colourful compound eyes. Male horse flies (family Tabanidae) feed on nectar, but females feed on blood

Female mosquito head, SEM
Female mosquito head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a female mosquito (family Culicidae). The mosquitos head is dominated by its large compound eyes (pink)

Haemopsis sanguisuga, Horse Leech

Count Dracula in a pleated cape with high collar

Leeches jar, 19th century C017 / 3551
Creamware leaches jar with gilt decoration, dating from around 1800. Creamware is a refined earthenware finished with a cream coloured glaze

Tick anus, SEM
Tick anus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a close-up of a tick (order Ixodida) showing its anus (centre). Magnification: x150 when printed 10 centimetres wide

Pewter leeches container, 19th century C017 / 3579
French pewter leeches container, dating from around the year 1820. Leeches (a type of worm) were used in medicine during this period as a method of bloodletting

Mosquito feeding on a lizard (Enyalioides microlepis). Some species of mosquitoes feed on the blood of a range of animals, often mammals, but also including reptiles and amphibians

Deer fly C014 / 9955
Deer fly. Close-up of a deer fly (Lipoptena cervi), or deer ked, on human skin. Deer flies (family Hippoboscidae) are biting flies that are parasites of elk, deer and other bovine animals

Engorged Ixodes tick. Top view of an Ixodes sp. tick whose body is swollen full of blood it has ingested. Ticks are blood-sucking arachnids that feed on humans and other animals

Common horse fly C014 / 9771
Common horse fly. Close-up of a common horse fly (Haematopota pluvialis), or cleg, on human skin. Male horse flies (family Tabanidae) feed on nectar, but females feed on blood

Deer fly C014 / 9763
Deer fly. Close-up of a deer fly (Lipoptena cervi), or deer ked, on human skin. Deer flies (family Hippoboscidae) are biting flies that are commonly found in temperate regions of Europe

Mosquito feeding, artwork
Mosquito feeding. Computer artwork of a mosquito with its proboscis inserted into a persons skin (lower left) to feed on blood in a blood vessel (red)

Common horse fly C014 / 9664
Common horse fly. Close-up of a common horse fly (Haematopota pluvialis), or cleg, on human skin. Male horse flies (family Tabanidae) feed on nectar, but females feed on blood

Bats and other mammals, 19th century C015 / 6092
Bats and other mammals. 19th-century artwork of three bat species, and the common European species of hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), mole (Talpa europaea), and shrew (Sorex araneus)

Badger body louse, SEM
Badger body louse. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a badger body louse (Trichodectes melis). This is the second most common ectoparasite (external parasite) of the badger

Head lice, artwork
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), computer artwork. The louse at left has its lower (ventral) side facing upwards and the louse at right has its upper (dorsal) side facing upwards

Badger body lice, SEM
Badger body lice. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of two badger body lice (Trichodectes melis) on badger hairs

Mite on bee, SEM
Mite on honeybee. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a mite (Varroa sp. upper centre) on the thorax of a honeybee (Apis mellifera)

Infected bee, SEM
Diseased bee. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a honeybee (Apis mellifera) infected with mites (Varroa sp. not seen)

Cat fleas head, SEM

Sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus), light micrograph. This wingless, blood-sucking fly is an ectoparasite of sheep. The hooks on the ends of its legs help it to attach to its host

Female mosquito head, light micrograph
Female mosquito (family Culicidae) head, light micrograph. The mosquitos head is dominated by its large compound eyes (black spheres)

Mosquito heads, light micrograph
Mosquito heads. Light micrograph of the heads of a male (left) and female (right) mosquito (family Culicidae). The mosquitos head is dominated by its large compound eyes (solid white)

Mosquito larva mouth hairs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the mouth hairs of a mosquito larva (Aedes albopictus). These hairs are feeding structures used to filter water

Horse fly gut, SEM
Horse fly gut. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the gut of a horse fly (Tabanus sp.). Male horse flies feed on nectar, but females feed on blood, inflicting a painful bite on horses

Horse fly, SEM
Horse fly. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head and forelegs of a horse fly (Tabanus sp.). Its large compound eyes are clearly seen here

Cat flea, artwork

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"Bloody Intruders: Unveiling the World Creatures" Meet the Culex Mosquito, a tiny but notorious bloodsucker captured under an SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). Its needle-like mouthparts are perfectly designed for extracting our precious life force. Head Lice, another infamous parasite that infests human scalps, reveal their grotesque appearance through an SEM image. These minuscule creatures survive by feasting on our blood and causing incessant itching. Step right up to witness the peculiar world of a Flea Circus. These agile acrobats may seem harmless, but they too rely on sucking blood from their hosts to survive and perform their daring stunts. Beware "The Liar, " a deceptive creature known for its ability to deceive its prey before striking with deadly precision. This venomous snake uses its fangs to inject potent toxins while simultaneously feeding on warm blood. Explore the ancient practice of medicinal leeches in medicine as you gaze upon an intriguing 19th-century jar filled with these slimy yet beneficial creatures. Their appetite for blood has been harnessed throughout history for therapeutic purposes. Delve into the intricate anatomy of female mosquitoes as we zoom in on their head under an SEM image. Witness how they use specialized mouthparts to pierce our skin and feast upon our vital fluids. Count Dracula emerges from the shadows, adorned in his pleated cape and high collar – a timeless symbol of vampiric allure associated with blood-sucking legends that have captivated us throughout literature and film. Discover Haemopsis sanguisuga, commonly known as Horse Leech – a fascinating creature often found lurking in freshwater habitats worldwide, using its powerful suction cups to latch onto unsuspecting victims' skin while indulging in their crimson essence. In this captivating SEM image, witness the intimate act of Fleas mating.