I recently got a dissecting scope. Of course there’s tons of taxa that I could look at with it, but I’m wondering if there’s anything I should start with. I’m thinking that the best groups would be those that are impossible to ID to species without a scope, but pretty easy to differentiate with one.…

Beetles would be a good idea for a start. Depending on where you live there may be good identification keys using characters well visible under a dissecting microscope. I’d recommend specializing into one taxon eventually.

Most insect taxa can benefit from a look through a microscope in order to ID them. If you are feeling ambitious, you could learn to dissect moth genitalia! One drawback is that many small details needed for species identification require a dead, preserved specimen (it’s hard to see fly bristles or c…

Beaksedges (Rhynchospora) are perfect for dissecting scope observations. The ID keys are mostly based on features of the tiny achenes, which you can barely make out with a hand lens. And they are beautiful! Just remember to get a photo in the field to record the collecting locality.

Got any specific beetle families in mind? I’d prefer to not collect those that are easily IDable without a microscope (such as cerambycids and coccinelids), since a normal photo would work fine for ID. And I’m in southern Ontario, so theres probably some good keys for the species in the area.

I do plan to get forceps soon, they’d be a lot less of a mess than tweezers or my massive human fingers. Are there any specific groups of moths that you recommend dissecting? Most noctuids, erebids, and other physically larger families are pretty IDable without a microscope, so I’m thinking maybe th…

Unfortunately it looks like that genus is very uncommon in my area. I’ll definitely keep watch for them when outside my normal iNatting grounds, though

Coleoptera: Carabidae. Hymenoptera: Symphyta (Saflies) or Aculeata (Solitary Wasps and Bees) Heteroptera: True Bugs and Cicadellidae Isopoda: Woodlice Just a few to start with.

Amphipods That’s why I want a dissecting microscope. I used a dissecting microscope in college to ID saltwater amphipods. I’d like to learn about the freshwater ones in the lake by my house.

Freshwater Bryozoa are attractive to watch live. I don’t know how difficult they are to identify in your part of the world or if there is a key to them.

What Taxa Should I Put Under a Dissecting Microscope?

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What Taxa Should I Put Under a Dissecting Microscope?

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