Butterflies have long been believed to represent transformation and change, thanks to the stunning metamorphosis they must go through to go from caterpillar to the winged pollinator so many of us ...

If you’ve ever wondered why some animals like butterflies, birds, and beetles shimmer in the light and change from one iridescent color to the next, it’s because they don’t rely on pigments as most of ...

Some butterflies get their fabulous colors from light refracted through membrane shapes that were first discovered by mathematicians and applied in space-age material science. Using microscopes with ...

Butterfly wings are so synonymous with bold color that few people may wonder what makes them that way. But Yale University researchers studying the green color on the wings of five butterfly species ...

A selective mating experiment by a curious butterfly breeder has led scientists to a deeper understanding of how butterfly wing color is created and evolves. The study, led by scientists at University ...

Ask a social butterfly where she got that great dress, and she'll say, "This old thing?" and then tell you its entire history. Ask an actual butterfly about its colorful attire, and things get a lot ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Monarch butterflies in Eastern North America complete one of the ...

We all know that camouflage is an important tool in the evolutionary toolbox. But it’s only one of the ways that butterflies and caterpillars use color to keep themselves safe. Image credit: First ...

Butterfly experts have suspected for more than 150 years that vision plays a key role in explaining wing color diversity. Now, for the first time, research shows the truth in this theory -- at least ...

The rich, shimmering colors of some butterfly wings are produced not by pigments, but by a special geometric formation of cells, a new study suggests. Researchers used an X-ray scattering technique to ...

The state of Georgia is home to over 160 species of butterfly, from the humble common buckeye (Junonia coenia) to the dramatically striped zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus). Many rely on native ...