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Butterfly wing, SEM
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Butterfly wing, SEM
Butterfly wing. Image 2 of 6. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a wing from an unidentified butterfly (order Lepidoptera, meaning " scale-wing" in Greek). A butterfly wing is covered in many tiny scales that are modified hairs (setae). These are made of chitin, a common substance in insect exoskeletons. The iridescence of the colours of a butterflys wings is produced by the diffraction of light by the microscopic structure of these scales. Magnification: x50 at 6x7cm size. For a sequence that magnifies the wing of a butterfly down to the light-diffracting scale structures, see images Z355/692-697
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Media ID 6461278
© SUSUMU NISHINAGA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Butter Fly Chitin Chitinous Colour Hair Hairs Insecta Iridescence Lepidoptera Scale Scales Seta Setae Wing Winged
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the intricate beauty of a butterfly wing, captured through a colored scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The image reveals the mesmerizing surface of an unidentified butterfly's wing, belonging to the order Lepidoptera, which translates to "scale-wing" in Greek. Each delicate scale on a butterfly's wing is actually a modified hair called setae, composed of chitin - a common substance found in insect exoskeletons. The enchanting iridescence that adorns these wings is created by the diffraction of light caused by the microscopic structure of these scales. This phenomenon gives rise to an array of vibrant colors that captivate our senses and make butterflies one of nature's most visually stunning creatures. With its magnification at x50 and measuring 6x7cm in size, this SEM image offers us an up-close look into the extraordinary world hidden within each fluttering wing. For those seeking even more detail, there exists a sequence that further magnifies these wings down to their light-diffracting scale structures. In this remarkable photograph from Science Photo Library, we are reminded once again of the wonders that lie within our natural world – where even something as seemingly ordinary as a butterfly's wing holds secrets waiting to be discovered.
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