Study of nano-architecture of the wings of Paris Peacock butterfly

Ekata Ghate; S. V. Bhoraskar; G. R. Kulkarni

doi:10.1117/12.2003061

12 April 2013 Study of nano-architecture of the wings of Paris Peacock butterfly

Ekata Ghate, S. V. Bhoraskar, G. R. Kulkarni

Proceedings Volume 8598, Bioinspired, Biointegrated, Bioengineered Photonic Devices; 859805 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2003061
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2013, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Butterflies are one of the most colorful creatures in animal Kingdom. Wings of the male butterfly are brilliantly colored to attract females. Color of the wings plays an important role in camouflage. Study of structural colors in case of insects and butterflies are important for their biomimic and biophotonic applications. Structural color is the color which is produced by physical structures and their interaction with light. Paris Peacock or Papilio paris butterfly belongs to the family Papilionidae. The basis of structural color of this butterfly is investigated in the present study. The upper surface of the wings in this butterfly is covered with blue, green and brown colored scales. Nano-architecture of these scales was investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). Photomicrographs were analyzed using image analysis software. Goniometric color or iridescence in blue and green colored scales of this butterfly was observed and studied with the help of gonio spectrophotometer in the visible range. No iridescence was observed in brown colored scales of the butterfly. Hues of the blue and green color were measured with spectrophotometer and were correlated with nano-architecture of the wing. Results of electron microscopy and reflection spectroscopy are used to explain the iridescent nature of blue and green scales. Sinusoidal grating like structures of these scales were prominently seen in the blue scales. It is possible that the structure of these wings can act as a template for the fabrication of sinusoidal gratings using nano-imprint technology.

Citation Download Citation

Ekata Ghate, S. V. Bhoraskar, and G. R. Kulkarni "Study of nano-architecture of the wings of Paris Peacock butterfly", Proc. SPIE 8598, Bioinspired, Biointegrated, Bioengineered Photonic Devices, 859805 (12 April 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2003061

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