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Cabbage White Wing Scales

Pieris rapae

Photo by LuckyLogan
Published on Project Noah
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42.6167, -96.2962

Field Notes

Description:

Scales on the wings of a Cabbage White butterfly. I also have a spotting for the chrysalis/adult butterfly here: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/198446038

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)

Good to see butterfly wing scales in details. Well done!
Fun fact! The colors and patterns on butterfly wings are created by minute scales. These scales are pigmented with melanin that create blacks and browns, but other colors are usually created by the structure of the scales themselves, which scatter the light to create blues, greens, reds and iridescence. https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603.674700.10150120463815603/10154011101690603/?type=1&stream_ref=10
Thanks Luis, Scott, and Gilma! It a complicated little process to get these shots without special equipment.

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