nationalgeographicmagazine:

Emerald-patched Cattleheart Butterfly
Image courtesy Richard Prum
The green patches on an emerald-patched Cattleheart butterfly (pictured) are the result of gyroids embedded in the wing scales.
“The green color is very similar to the leaves [in the butterfly’s environment], so we think it helps with camouflage,” study co-author Saranathan said.
Scientists think the gyroids only form during the butterflies’ cocoon phase, and can’t be replaced once the adult insects emerge from their cases.

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