Feature Animals

How they shine

Iridescence could be pretty meaningful—or maybe just pretty

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Believe it or not, science has barely begun to fathom the peacock’s tail. Subtle as a pink tuxedo, one might think. Big flashy thing. Peahens love it. What’s not to understand.

INSPECTING IRRIDESCENCE Seen under a scanning electron microscope (right), the bristles of the wings of the butterfly Tomares ballus (left) resemble photonic crystals, materials designed to transmit or reflect light of specific wavelengths.