Sunset moth wing scales
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Sunset moth wing scales
I know this has been done to death but you have to have a go, eh? I recently got some Sunset moth wings to tick this particular cliche off my todo list. Here's a crop from the first FF stack I tried today (20x Mitty). I'm definitely going to do some more of these - even if they are "old hat". They're purty! And I'm pretty sure there's more detail to be teased out too. Never content, but always happy...
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Re: Sunset moth wing scales
wow. Nice vibrent colors. well doneBeatsy wrote:I know this has been done to death but you have to have a go, eh? I recently got some Sunset moth wings to tick this particular cliche off my todo list. Here's a crop from the first FF stack I tried today (20x Mitty). I'm definitely going to do some more of these - even if they are "old hat". They're purty! And I'm pretty sure there's more detail to be teased out too. Never content, but always happy...
Thanks for the comments all.Howard Mayo wrote:I agree with Yawns....beautiful.
That's all structural coloration right?
I wonder if even more depth could be teased out with back lighting somehow.
Thanks for sharing, makes me happy too.
Yes, the colours are structural. Thanks to a very kind lady who posted some SEM images for me (elsewhere) I now know the colours are caused by closely spaced "interference" layers in the scales. You never know, she may post those pics here too. Hint, hint
With regard to backlighting: there is an underlayer of brown/black "normal" scales on both sides of the wing so I'm not sure how much light would get through (if any), but perhaps worth a look.
Hi Steve,
it is a pleasure to show these SEM images with a big thank you to the NMI Institute in Reutlingen, which has done the images.
First here a (poor) image light microscopy of the cut/cross section of the wing.
We hoped to get more good information with the light microscope, but as you can see, dimensions are too small.
But what we can see in this cross section, there are two layers of scales, brown ones directly under the coloured ones.
Here now the two SEM images. I am not sure if the structure which looks like a wall is responsible for the colour effect. I think they are responsible for stabilization. The structure above, the small walls on the surface could be responsible for the colour.
BR
Anne
Perhaps I can show some more images of the walls on the surface, will first ask if I am allowed to show them.
it is a pleasure to show these SEM images with a big thank you to the NMI Institute in Reutlingen, which has done the images.
First here a (poor) image light microscopy of the cut/cross section of the wing.
We hoped to get more good information with the light microscope, but as you can see, dimensions are too small.
But what we can see in this cross section, there are two layers of scales, brown ones directly under the coloured ones.
Here now the two SEM images. I am not sure if the structure which looks like a wall is responsible for the colour effect. I think they are responsible for stabilization. The structure above, the small walls on the surface could be responsible for the colour.
BR
Anne
Perhaps I can show some more images of the walls on the surface, will first ask if I am allowed to show them.
These seem to share the same structural plan as Morpho scales. Morpho buttefly scales have the same layered ribs, with each layer at a fixed angle to the plane of the scale. In Morphos, both the ribs and the flat regions are responsible for the colors.
Some of the flashiest Morphos have many more layers in the ribs than this Sunset Moth, making the colors more intense and pure. Both Morphos and Sunset Moths have two kinds of scales, the ground scales (dark in the Sunset Moth and most Morphos) and the cover scales. The dark scales absorb non-interfering light and make the colors more pronounced. But some species of Morphos (like Morpho sulkowsyi, my local native Morpho) have reduced cover scales and the color is produced by the ground scales. These butterflies look like semi-transparent mirrors flashing as they fly past, and their color changes dramatically with angle of view. On the other hand my local Sunset Moth relative, Urania leilus, has colors that seem less brilliant.
Some of the flashiest Morphos have many more layers in the ribs than this Sunset Moth, making the colors more intense and pure. Both Morphos and Sunset Moths have two kinds of scales, the ground scales (dark in the Sunset Moth and most Morphos) and the cover scales. The dark scales absorb non-interfering light and make the colors more pronounced. But some species of Morphos (like Morpho sulkowsyi, my local native Morpho) have reduced cover scales and the color is produced by the ground scales. These butterflies look like semi-transparent mirrors flashing as they fly past, and their color changes dramatically with angle of view. On the other hand my local Sunset Moth relative, Urania leilus, has colors that seem less brilliant.
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Thanks for sharing
Beautiful photographs both the coloured images and the SEM's.
RB
RB