It is known that the chitin-based nanostructured configuration and the multi-scale induced periodicity of the scales on the surface of a butterfly wing, generates a rich variety of photonic properties and color formation mechanisms.
The color of the nanostructure of
the wings can originate from optical interference in a microscopic lamella
system or through pigmentary. It is assumed that the fluorescence of a
multi-scale nanostructured "artificial eye" on a butterfly wing,
plays a role in inter or intraspecific communication among the species.
In this case, parts of the wings of a Parnassius apollo and Pieris butterfly were used for the photos shown.
It was striking that with each of the excitation wavelengths used - DAPI, FITC, and Texas Red filters - emission occurred in some of the scales on the wings. When using the Texas Red filter, the emission was low compared to the DAPI and FITC filters.
This phenomenon has not yet been seen so
strongly with other objects showing autofluorescence. Autofluorescence occurred
at a more limited bandwidth of the excitation wavelength. Could this possibly
be due to the special nanostructure of the scales on the butterfly wing, or is
this the usual fluorescence caused by the excitation of electrons in the
biologic material, or both?
It should be noted that with the
Parnassius apollo specimen, where Caedax was used as a mounting agent, some
background color occurred when using the DAPI and FITC filters.
Pieris prepared slide by Lieder www.lieder.com
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