Given their small size, studying insects requires specialized optical tools. While insect morphology manuals typically rely on illustrations and photographs, certain structures are too intricate to be fully comprehended through two-dimensional materials alone. That is why we developed a project that uses 3D models of insects for teaching insect morphology and identification. 3D models for teaching have some advantages, such as the lack of need for specialized optical equipment, their durability, ease of dissemination, possibility of adding annotations and additional information to the model itself. Also, their convenience for remote teaching can even help mitigate the initial stress that some people may feel when in contact with real insects. To acquire these models, we used a micro-CT scanner to capture the shapes of the specimens and their anatomical structures. We then “dressed” the models using high-resolution photographs (left) and “adhere” them to the different parts of the model (right) until all the surfaces of the insect are completely covered with a realistic “skin”. Although it is an arduous task, the result is a model very close to the real thing.
