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Morpho

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morpho

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Morpho butterfly (Morpho nestira).
(credit: Appel Color Photography)
Any species of New World tropical brush-footed butterflies in the genus Morpho (family Nymphalidae). Microscopic ridges on the wing scales break up and reflect light, producing the iridescent blue of the males of some species. The generally duller-coloured females have broader, less graceful wings. The hairy larvae feed on plants and live and pupate in a communal web. Some species have poisonous hairs that can cause a rash on human skin. Morphos are raised commercially in South America for use in jewelry, lamp shades, pictures, and tray inlays.

Morpho
epithet of Aphrodite, meaning “shapely.” [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 25]
See : Buxomness


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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
San Francisco-based Deepa Textiles makes beautiful, iridescent drapery called Natural Intelligence that's based on mimicry of the Morpho butterfly.
The ultimate flattery: learning from nature through biomimicry by Vartan, Starre / E
The scales on a blue morpho butterfly reflect light of only one
Science news by Science World
Morpho Genomics: The Milgo Experiment in Shaping Surfaces will be on view March 23 through April 30.
Calendar by Real Estate Weekly
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