Nanoscale cuticle mass density variations influenced by pigmentation in butterfly wing scales

Deepan Balakrishnan, Anupama Prakash, Benedikt J. Daurer, Cédric Finet, Ying Chen Lim, Zhou Shen, Pierre Thibault, Antónia Monteiro () and N. Duane Loh ()
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Deepan Balakrishnan: National University of Singapore
Anupama Prakash: National University of Singapore
Benedikt J. Daurer: Harwell Science & Innovation Campus
Cédric Finet: National University of Singapore
Ying Chen Lim: National University of Singapore
Zhou Shen: National University of Singapore
Pierre Thibault: Università degli Studi di Trieste
Antónia Monteiro: National University of Singapore
N. Duane Loh: National University of Singapore

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract How pigment distribution influences the cuticle density within a microscopic butterfly wing scale, and how both impact each scale’s final reflected color, remains unknown. We use ptychographic X-ray computed tomography to quantitatively determine, at nanoscale resolutions, the three-dimensional mass density of scales with pigmentation differences. By comparing cuticle densities between two pairs of scales with pigmentation differences, we determine that the density of the lower lamina is inversely correlated with pigmentation. In the upper lamina structure of Junonia orithya and Bicyclus anynana, low pigment levels also correlate with sheet-like chitin structures as opposed to rod-like structures. Within each scale, we determine that the lower lamina in all scales has the highest density, and distinct layers within the lower lamina help explain reflected color. We hypothesize that pigments, in addition to absorbing specific wavelengths, can affect cuticle polymerization, density, and refractive index, thereby impacting reflected wavelengths that produce colors.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62010-7

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