Emerald Swallowtail
FamilyPapilionidae
Scientific NamePapilio palinurus
RangeSoutheast Asia
HabitatTropical forests
About the Emerald Swallowtail
Its brilliant green bands are not made by green pigment. Microscopic bowl-shaped structures on the wing scales reflect yellow light from their centers and blue light from their sides, which the eye blends into green. Scientists have studied these scales to design new optical materials. A popular species in butterfly houses, also known as the Green-banded Peacock.
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