MORPHO BUTTERFLY

The Blue Morpho Butterfly is one of the largest butterflies in the world, with a wingspan
of up to 8 inches in length. These butterflies are found in Central and South America.
Blue Morpho Butterflies Despite what their name implies, these butterflies are not
actually blue. The human eye perceives a brilliant metallic blue color, but this pigment is
not found in its wings as it is in other species. This color is the result of light reflecting on
microscopic scales on the tiny scales on the wings. It is because of this reflective
property that the blue color is perceived as intense and bright. Females are usually
much less colorful than males. On the brown underside of their wings are yellow spots
that are effective in warding off predators. These butterflies are solitary except when
they are in mating season, which can be seen in large numbers in the forests, which is
an amazing sight. The Blue Morpho butterfly is of the utmost ecological importance
because other creatures in the Amazon depend on it. But this species is also a small
component that contributes to the overall biological diversity of the Amazon, and
biodiversity is a feature worth protecting on its own. The conservation of this species
has not yet been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but
the destruction and fragmentation of the habitat it needs to survive is a threat. Also,
unfortunately, the mortality of Blue Morpho butterflies is directly affected by collectors
who collect them for their personal collections or to sell through the jewelry trade.
In conclusion, these animals are an excellent example of the presence of
nanostructures in nature and that can be an inspiration for the creation of materials with
new and better properties, but whose manufacturing process must be taken care of to
have nanometric precision.