We at the MCFF house a variety of scientific instruments for electron microscopy and materials analysis. We are proud to help many students, professors, and guests alike. Perhaps one of the more notable guests we have recently helped is Professor and published author Thomas Werner.
Thomas Werner is best known for his research and documentation of drosophilids, which are more commonly referred to as fruit flies. In his career, Werner has published three volumes (and a fourth one in the works) that delve into detail about drosophilids across North America. During his fieldwork, Werner had amazingly found a species once thought to be extinct, called Drosophila narragansett. This species had not been seen for 60 years.
The most interesting feature of this species is observed in males. It is a unique silver area between the eyes. The source of this striking silver appearance was an unsolved question to many entomologists. Werner’s rediscovery of the insect, combined with scientific advancements over the last 60 years, shed light on the mystery. With help from MCFF staff member Joey Tomei, Werner was able to use the Apreao 2 and digital microscope to see the silver face of the insect at up to 1,000,000X magnification.
Werner, Thomas. (2025, October)
This magnification revealed that the silver effect was caused by extremely fine hairs that scatter and reflect light. This explains why, from some angles, the silver effect is much harder to see. Under the digital microscope, some hairs even reflected rainbow colors.
Werner, Thomas. (2025, October)
When observed under the Apreao at an even higher magnification, these hairs resemble pine needles.
Werner, Thomas. (2025, October)
Werner compared this discovery to Blue Morpho butterflies, giant blue butterfly species found in Central and South America. The iconic blue color these butterflies have is caused by nanostructures on their wing scales that are arranged in a highly specific pattern. This pattern reflects and refracts light, giving the wings an iridescent blue appearance.
Phillips,G. (2003, December). Blue Morpho Butterfly [Photograph]
Regarding the future of his work, he has been invited to travel to Hawaii to study the fruit flies (drosophilids) that are present in the unique and isolated habitats of the islands. We are excited to see what discoveries he will make next!
For more information on this topic, view Werner’s works.