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Discover New Worlds
Shapes of scales
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Different species of butterflies and moths have different shapes of scales. Here is a selection of scales on wings.
The scales increase the animals' buoyancy by about 10 per cent.
Click on the pictures to see more details.
Morphidae:
Click for larger view
The rectangular scales get more dentate towards the wing's edge.
The scales at the edge they are more than two times as long as the ones in the middle.
Morphidae:
Click for larger view
The scales reflect the light in light green and blue. Under another angle of inclination you see the pattern on the bottom side of the wings because the layer of scales is very thin.
Saturnidae:
Click for larger view
The magnification shows the border of the silver reflecting, transparent eyespots that are not covered with scales. The scales get more frayed out towards the edge of the wing.
Uraniidae:
Click for larger view Click for larger view
The difference between the reflecting and the pigmented scales is visible.
At the border the scales are long and narrow, nearly like hair.
Satyridae:
Click for larger view
The rectangular scales get more dentate towards the wing's edge.
The scales at the edge they are more than two times as long as the ones in the middle.
Morphidae:
Click for larger view
The scales reflect the light in light green and blue. Under another angle of inclination you see the pattern on the bottom side of the wings because the layer of scales is very thin.
Saturnidae:
Click for larger view
The magnification shows the border of the silver reflecting, transparent eyespots that are not covered with scales. The scales get more frayed out towards the edge of the wing.
Uraniidae:
Click for larger view Click for larger view
The difference between the reflecting and the pigmented scales is visible.
At the border the scales are long and narrow, nearly like hair.
Satyridae:
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