Blue Morpho Butterfly |
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Blue Morpho butterflies (M. menelaus) are shimmering shades of metallic blue, the result of iridescence not pigment. Scales on Morpho wings reflect light repeatedly, leading to interference effects that depend on wavelength; thus wing colors vary with viewing angle. The iridescent scales are only on the top of the wings, the undersides are drab brown.
Blue Morpho males are territorial and will chase rivals. People in Brazil once exploited the territorial habits of the males by luring them into clearings with bright blue decoys. The collected butterfly wings were used to embellish ceremonial masks. |
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