perhaps due to the tetrahedral (diamond-like) structural arrangement of the scales or diffraction from overlying cell layers

craned their neck and put a tiny head at the end

they are native to the Indomalaya and Australasian ecozones

Size: 4 x 6" Black Shadowbox Frame

The Japanese emperor or great purple emperor

Alpine Black Swallowtail Butterfly in a Dome Material:Acrylic perhaps due to the tetrahedralSpecies Name: Papilio maakii (Summer type) Common Name: Black Alpine Butterfly Origin: Southeast Aisa Size: 7" diam. Wooden Base x 7" Made in Australia Also called the Papilio maackii, is widely held to be one of the most beautiful butterflies in Japan, covered with thousands of iridescent green or blue scales, the concentration of color in some areas, creates beautiful neon like waves. Their favorite food is the nectar of mikan trees, and other fruit