Ultraviolet Reflection of a Male Butterfly: Interference Color Caused by Thin-Layer Elaboration of Wing Scales

@article{Ghiradella1972UltravioletRO,
  title={Ultraviolet Reflection of a Male Butterfly: Interference Color Caused by Thin-Layer Elaboration of Wing Scales},
  author={Helen T. Ghiradella and Daniel J. Aneshansley and Thomas Eisner and Robert E. Silberglied and Howard Everest Hinton},
  journal={Science},
  year={1972},
  volume={178},
  pages={1214 - 1217}
}
Males of the butterfly Eurema lisa, like many other members of the family Pieridae, reflect ultraviolet light. The color is structural rather than pigmentary, and originates from optical interference in a microscopic lamellar system associated with ridges on the outer scales of the wing. The dimensions and angular orientation of the lamellar system conform to predictions based on physical measurement of the spectral characteristics, including "color shifts" with varying angles of incidence, of… 
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    Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences
  • 1995
It is suggested that variation in uv reflectance in male Pierid butterflies is more likely to be associated with mate choice by females or with male-male interactions, and to recognise particular species on the basis of uv colours.

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...

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