Butterfly Wing

Description

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of butterfly wing scales. The colour observed from a butterflies wing scale can either arise from a pigment contained in the scale or it can arise from the actual structure of the scale. In this case, the architecture of the scale, comprising of grooves and cross ridges gives rise to iridescence, a property whereby the colour observed is dependent on the viewing angle. Magnification: x80 when printed at 10 centimetres wide. (Photo by Karl Gaff/Science Photo Library)