Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph of a conidiophore of Aspergillus fumigatus, a saprophytic fungus. The conidiophore is the swollen end of a hypha (the fungal vegetative structure) from which radiate numerous sterigmata (short lengths of narrow hyphae) ending in short chains of spores. Species of Aspergillus are common saprophytic moulds - such as those seen on stored food. Some species cause a variety of diseases in humans, including: Otomycosis, a chronic fungal growth of the passage into the ear; allergic aspergillosis, a hypersensitive reaction provoked by repeated inhalation of aspergilli. Magnification: X 1323 at 35mm size.