There are about 17,500 species of butterflies in the world. Each one has a different shape andenchantingly uniquewing coloration, but how do they get it?
Scientists from the University of Sheffield and the Central Laser Facility probably have found the answer. Recently there was a new study published in Nature Communications revealing that actin, a protein in butterflies’ scales, is crucial for the arrangement of butterflies’ colorful wing structures.
More info:Nature Communications
Scientists from the University of Sheffield and the Central Laser Facility have discovered that actin, a protein in butterflies’ scales, is crucial for the arrangement of the colorful structures
Image credits:Alias 0591
The scientists examined F-actin organization during wing scale development in the neotropical butterfly Heliconius sara
Image credits:Nature Communications
Using powerful high-resolution microscopes, the researchers watched as actin shifted during scale growth and color formation, showing actin as crucial for creating a butterfly’s colors, and it is likely a universal process. Furthermore, actin disturbance experiments at later developmental stages resulted in near total loss of structural color.
“Actin is like a dressmaker, laying out and pinning the arrangement of these structures to shape the vibrant colors. Once the actin has finished its work, it departs the cell like the removal of pins in dressmaking,” explained Dr. Andrew Parnell, lead author of the study.
Researchers have observed that if the actin structures were dismantled or too drastically altered, the colors faded before the eye
Image credits:John
Image credits:Christopher Perani
Image credits:Унайзат Юшаева
By studying the mechanisms behind butterfly wing coloration, researchers hope to gain insights into much broader areas of cell structure formation, which would include potential applications in sensing and diagnostics that could be crucial for a whole bunch of technologies including medicine. Replicating these actin structures would also offer rapid and responsive solutions outside traditional laboratory-based approaches.
“As a microscopist, being part of this project has been incredibly exciting, we have visualized butterfly scales with an unprecedented level of detail. This research not only provides novel information on the tiny parts of these cells, but also constitutes a tool for other scientists interested in studying similar structures in other organisms,” added Dr. Esther Garcia, from STFC Central Laser Facility.
Image credits:Georg Wietschorke
Image credits:Pixabay
Looking at the extreme close-ups of butterflies’ breathtaking tapestry of textures, I immediately thought ofChristopher Perani. He is an extreme macro photographer who specializes in capturing images that blend technology, science, and art. I was truly excited and grateful when Chris found some time in his busy schedule for an interview withBored Pandasince his work is absolutely fascinating.
The photographer recently returned to the series called ‘Butterfly wings‘, venturing further into thehidden wondersof patterns and capturing more detailed images than ever before.
“My fascination with combining technology and art began in my youth, when I experimented with photographing water balloons using sound sensors to trigger the camera at the moment of popping or using lasers to capture the moment an object interrupted the beam,” said Chris.
Actin works like a dressmaker, laying out and pinning the arrangement of the structures to shape butterfly’s vibrant colors
Asked about how the entire photography process looks, Chris explained that it all starts with examining a butterfly specimen with his eyes, searching for interesting colors or textures that will result in captivating images.
“Once I identify a section to photograph, I set up my camera, which has a 200mm lens with a 10x microscope objective attached. The camera is mounted on a rail system that automatically moves it. With the microscope objective attached, the depth of field is extremely shallow, focusing on only a few scales at a time,” he shared.
“To capture the photos, the lens must be moved no more than 3 microns per shot to achieve focus across the thickness of the subject. This results in approximately 300 photos for each small section. This process is repeated repeatedly to cover the desired section of the butterfly. When the photo is completed, thousands of exposures are combined into one image,” said Chris.
What makes butterflies so special to him is their incredible diversity incolorsand textures: “Whenever I look through the viewfinder and see the intricate details and vibrant hues of the butterflies, I am in awe of their innate beauty. As an extreme macro photographer, I find the hidden details and worlds within their wings truly mesmerizing.”
“Discovering the microscopic patterns and textures that are invisible to the naked eyeis fascinating. Each butterfly wing is like a miniature universe, full of surprises and beauty waiting to be uncovered. This constant discovery reminds me that beauty is everywhere and requires a closer look to be truly appreciated. Every time I photograph a butterfly wing, I am reminded of the extraordinary complexity and elegance that exist in nature, and it renews my sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world,” added Chris.
There are so many enchanting butterflies but the most unique one Chris has ever photographed was a Morpho butterfly, which is known for its iridescent blue on the top of the wings. “What I find most striking from a photographer’s perspective is how, as you move the light, the colors appear to change through the viewfinder. The colors can easily be manipulated into shades of blue depending on the light’s location. What fascinates me about Morphos is how the light interacts with the scales and how microscopic changes in the light can drastically alter the appearance of the butterfly,” explained the photographer.
Besides the fascinating insights into his work, Chris also shared some very special photos with Bored Panda’s readers: “I have shot about 100 butterflies in two months, and no one has seen any of these images,” he said, inviting us all to discover this colorful and unique macro world that is hidden to the naked eye.
Butterfly wings are covered in as many as 200,000 tiny scales, similar to overlapping roof tiles, and most of us have seen these scales as the “dust” that rubs off onto fingertips or clothing. Serbian scientists found the scales of butterflies so unique that in 2015, they came up with the idea of theTeslagramwhere they used them as the next revolution in security coding.
While butterflies’ wing colors appear due to the nature of those scales they produce, it’s truly mesmerizing to discover that actin is the substance that is crucial there, thanks to the new study.
Astonishingly enough, their colors can survive harsh environments, such as strong, direct sunlight, as there are no pigments to get bleached or damaged. Therefore, understanding better the mechanisms behind butterflies’ coloration can definitely bring a wide range of opportunities for the development ofinnovative technologies, for instance, new kinds of sustainable paints and coatings.
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