Butterfly wing. Image 1 of 6. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a wing from an unidentified butterfly (order Lepidoptera,meaning "scale-wing" in Greek). A butterfly wing is covered in many tiny scales that are modified hairs (setae). These are made of chitin,a common substance in insect exoskeletons. The iridescence of the colours of a butterfly's wings is produced by the diffraction of light by the microscopic structure of these scales. Magnification: x16 at 6x7cm size. For a sequence that magnifies the wing of a butterfly down to the light-diffracting scale structures,see images Z355/692-697 | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Nishinaga, Susumu |
Taille de l’image : | 3610 px × 2907 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |