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.
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