Diffraction Patterns Observed in the Wings of Papilio xuthus

Abstract

To investigate the optical properties of Papilio xuthus butterfly wings, transmission diffraction patterns were analyzed by laser irradiation of single scales and wing membranes, where diffraction patterns were produced as a result of the blue scales being transparent and forming ridges. Two different diffraction patterns were produced from the wing membrane because it is transparent and forms a two dimensional diffraction grating.