Libelulas sp.
Libelulas sp.
SPECIES Libelulas sp. / Zenithoptera viola
ORIGIN Peru
FRAME 14.5x14.5xD5cm Made from recycled products.
DESCRIPTION AKA Morpho dragonfly. Metallic blue wings on this small but pretty male dragonfly. The wing colours are iridescent and look different when viewed at an angle.
Blue pigment, rare in nature, is nowhere on these wings. Instead, the wings, perhaps powered by abundant oxygen, create a living layer cake of light-manipulating doodads.
In the tough inner layers, male Z. lanei wings form nanoscale spheres sandwiched between blankets of black pigment–filled nanolayers. This setup can enhance reflections of blue light and muddle other wavelengths. On top are two more light-trick layers, each made of wax crystals. The uppermost crystals, Guillermo Ferreira found, are shaped “like little leaves.”
The blue wings might help a male intimidate rivals for breeding territory around the edges of their palm tree swamp homeland. Male dragonflies don’t just dart and bluff. Guillermo Ferreira often sees a male “rushing toward the rival, grabbing the wings, biting the wings and then sometimes biting the head.”
CITATIONS
R. Guillermo-Ferreira et al. The unusual tracheal system within the wing membrane of a dragonfly. Biology Letters. Vol. 13, May 2017. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0960.
Care
All frames are professionally prepared and fumigated for a minimum of six months prior to sale. While every precaution is taken, museum mites may occasionally occur.
Prevention is better than the cure! To help protect your collection, we strongly recommend placing your display in the freezer for one week each year. Regular inspection and monitoring are also recommended to help preserve your specimen for many years to come.
To minimise fading, avoid direct or reflected sunlight. Please also protect your display from extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
Glass may shatter if dropped. Hang only using the hook provided.
For more information and complete care instructions, please visit the FAQ section of our website.
Shipping & Delivery
We offer free nationwide standard shipping on all orders over $150. All orders under $150 incur a $12 shipping fee per order.
Express shipping options available at the checkout.
For all international orders, shipping is calculated at the checkout.
Each order is dispatched within 1-3 business days from our Mudgeeraba, QLD warehouse.
Tracking will be automatically provided via email once your order has been dispatched.
To read more about our shipping timeframes, please click here.
If you would like to view our returns policy, please click here.
Disclaimer
All specimens sold by Bits & Bugs are real insects and natural products. Due to the unique nature of each specimen, variations in colour, size, markings, and appearance may occur. Product images are provided as a guide only and may not represent the exact item received. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information on this website, product availability, specifications, and pricing are subject to change without notice. By using this website and purchasing our products, you acknowledge and accept these conditions.
FAQ
To read our Frequently Asked Questions, click here.