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Way to Glow: Butterfly-wing structure matches high-tech lights’ design

By Aimee Cunningham

- More than 2 years ago

The blue-green–streaked wings of the swallowtail butterfly harbor an intricate optical system with a design reminiscent of the latest in light-emitting diode technology, researchers now report.

BRIGHT SPOT. The brilliance of the blue-green regions of swallowtail wings comes from nanoscale structures that scientists have now identified in each wing scale (inset).