Hot temperatures can dull blue morpho butterflies' iridescent scales
Blue morpho butterflies have captivated the human eye for centuries.
Blue morpho butterflies have captivated the human eye for centuries.
The short version
- We even have one as an emoji on our phones.
- In a recent experiment, researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) documented for the first time that hot temperatures during development can reduce the brightness of their iridescence.
- At hot temperatures, such as those projected in future warming scenarios, the structures responsible for their iridescent color could change enough that common bird predators and other butterflies of the same species would likely see a color change.
What happened
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Scientists reported their results in a recent publication in the journal PNAS Nexus .
Why it matters
Consistent with other studies, they found that temperate and hot temperatures extended the time the butterflies spent as pupae.
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