We've all seen totally gorgeous microscopy photos before — but there's still something startling about seeing an arresting picture of a beautiful lattice, only to realize it's a set of mutated cells. Or an insect slowly murdering another insect. Or a horrible parasite, feeding off its host. Part of the thrill of microscopic photos is seeing the loveliness in nature's many killers and things we might consider abominations.

So it's especially exciting to look upon some of the winners and runners up in this year's Olympus BioScapes contest. Above is Drosophila ovaries and uterus, photographed by Gunnar Newquist at the University of Nevada. Check out more of our favorites in this gallery, and see the rest at the link. [Olympus BioScapes via Bellevue Reporter]