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 ...

Butterfly wings get their color in ways that almost feel impossible. Up close, each wing is made of countless tiny scales that either hold pigment or manipulate light. The oranges, reds, and browns ...

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. A selective mating experiment by a curious ...

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 ...

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While preparing for a talk about using color in the landscape, I collected flowers from the office and at home to create a visual display of color. It was amazing to collect such an assortment of ...

Heliconius charithonia is one of the species of butterflies whose wing patterns scientists scrutinized to better understand the evolutionary process. This butterfly is wild-type; the genetically ...

Scientists have uncovered how subtle differences in the tiny crystals of butterfly wings create stunningly varied patterns of color even among closely related species. The discovery could lead to new ...

A genetic “cheat sheet” allows different species to display the same warning patterns.

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 ...