Butterfly Wings Are Mind-Blowing Under A Microscope

August 21, 2024

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In his spare time, biochemist Linden Gledhill collaborates with artists, filmakers, and advertising professionals to create photos of everything from the growth of ice crystals to insects in flight.

For his latest project, Gledhill collected specimens of rare and beautiful butterflies from a company called Butterflies And Things. Then he put them under the microscope and used a set of high-powered lights to create abstract photos of their wings.

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From the unusual patterns and shapes produced by the wings to the beautiful colors, it's hard to believe the photos are of something from nature.

Gledhill shared a number of the butterfly photos with us here, but you can check out the rest on his Flickr page.

The Vanessa atalanta, or Red Admiral, is a butterfly found primarily in temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. In Northern Europe, it is one of the last butterflies to be seen before winter arrives. Linden Gledhill

"Its always a surprise when you look at the scales at such a high magnification, because you cannot predict the shapes and patterns from just looking at the wings," explains Gledhill.

The wings below are from Rhetus dyson, fast-flying iridescent butterflies with long wing tails. They are found in open areas and rain-forests, primarily in Central and South America. Linden Gledhill

Butterfly wings are made of very thin layers of a hardened protein called chitin, which is also what your fingernails and toenails are made of. On top of the layers of chitin are microscopic scales, which are the source of the stunning colors in Glendhill’s photos.

The Graphium weiskeiis known as the purple-spotted swallowtail. It is found in the Australasia and Indomalaya eco-zones. Linden Gledhill

The scales on the wings are responsible for protecting and insulating butterflies and aiding in air flow along their wings during flight. The scales also aid in heat absorption — butterflies are cold-blooded, relying on external sources of heat for warmth.

The Papilio blumei is also known as the Peacock or Green Swallowtail butterfly. It is only found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Linden Gledhill

Butterflies use their colors to scare off potential predators. Because most colorful butterflies are filled with nasty toxins, predators know not to eat them. Their colors are also used for camouflage and mate attraction.

The Cithaerias pireta aurorina, or Blushing Phantom, is a medium-sized butterfly. It is found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Linden Gledhill

Linden Gledhill

Below is a close-up of the Cithaerias pireta aurorina. Here's another close-up image: Graphium sarpedon, or Common Bluebottle, is a type of swallowtail butterfly. They are found in South and Southeast Asia. Chrysiridia Rhipheus, or the sunset moth, is a day-flying moth, known for its colorful, iridescent wings. It is most often found on Madagascar. Here is a further close-up of the sunset moth. The Comet moth (or Madagascan moon moth) is one of the world's largest silk-producing moths. It is native to the rainforests of Madagascar. Troides hypolitus, or Rippon's Birdwing, is a type of butterfly known for its massive wings and birdlike flight. It is found in the Australasia eco-zone.

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