Moth wing scales. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of scales on the wing of a silk moth (Bombyx mori). All butterflies and moths have these

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Moth wing scales. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of scales on the wing of a silk moth (Bombyx mori). All butterflies and moths have these transparent scales on their wings, which have tiny ridges on them. The ridges break up and reflect light, giving the wings their shimmering iridescent appearance. Magnification: x300 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

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Size: 4632px × 3815px
Photo credit: © EYE OF SCIENCE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, biological, biology, bombyx, coloured, entomology, false-coloured, fauna, insect, invertebrate, iridescence, iridescent, lepidoptera, mori, moth, nature, optical, scale, scales, sem, silk, wildlife, wing, zoological, zoology