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Colour mixing in wing scales of a butterfly

Author

Listed:
  • P. Vukusic

    (Thin Film Photonics, School of Physics, University of Exeter)

  • J. R. Sambles

    (Thin Film Photonics, School of Physics, University of Exeter)

  • C. R. Lawrence

    (Mechanical Sciences Sector, DERA)

Abstract

Green coloration in the animal kingdom, as seen in birds' feathers and reptile integument, is often an additive mixture of structurally effected blue and pigmentary yellow1. Here we investigate the origin of the bright green coloration of the wing scales of the Indonesian male Papilio palinurus butterfly, the microstructure of which generates an extraordinary combination of both yellow and blue iridescence. The dual colour arises from a modulation imposed on the multilayer, producing the blue component as a result of a previously undiscovered retro-reflection process.

Suggested Citation

  • P. Vukusic & J. R. Sambles & C. R. Lawrence, 2000. "Colour mixing in wing scales of a butterfly," Nature, Nature, vol. 404(6777), pages 457-457, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:404:y:2000:i:6777:d:10.1038_35006561
    DOI: 10.1038/35006561
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew L M Lim & Daiqin Li, 2013. "UV-Green Iridescence Predicts Male Quality during Jumping Spider Contests," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-6, April.
    2. Cédric Finet, 2023. "Light as matter: natural structural colour in art," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-14, December.

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