2006-11-01 02:40:28 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
As to where the color itself comes from:
"The wings of butterflies and moths consist of a colorless translucent membrane covered by a layer of scales (the name of the order is Lepidoptera, meaning 'scaly wings'). Each scale is a flattened outgrowth of a single cell and is about 100 µm long and 50 µm wide. The scales overlap like roof tiles and completely cover the membrane, appearing as dust to the naked eye.
In butterflies, iridescence is caused by multiple slit interference. Sunlight contains a full range of light wavelengths. "Interference" occurs when light hitting the wing combines with light reflected off the wing. Light is a wave. If the crests and the troughs of the waves are aligned, or "in phase", they will cause constructive interference and iridescence. This happens when the one light wave hits the first groove, and a second light wave travels half of a wavelength to an other groove and is reflected back in phase with the first. If the crest of one wave meets the trough of an other wave ("out of phase"), they will cancel each other out, demising the overall light intensity."
As to WHY they are colored, this answer applies to Morpho Blues, but can be applied to other butterflies as well:
"Iridescent surfaces, such as butterfly wings, help animals to elude potential predators. When these insects fly, the upper surface of their wings continually changes from bright blue to dull brown because the angle of the light striking the wing changes. As the butterflies move their wings up and down during flight, they seem to disappear and they reappear a short distance away, looking like ethereal flashes of bright blue light. The dark undersides of their wings strengthen this effect. Combined with an undulating pattern of flight, this ability to quickly change color makes them difficult items for predators to pursue."
2006-11-01 05:11:29 · answer #1 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I heard in the stories that when they come out of the cocoon they directly visit to a rainbow
2006-11-04 22:17:30 · answer #2 · answered by Rohan G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God got really stoned and started painting them psychedelic colors. He made the platypus on the same day. Silly stoner god.
2006-11-01 03:15:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋