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Red Photoreceptor in Butterflies

Nature volume 231, pages 126–127 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

IT has recently been suggested1 that modifications of the tracheoles beneath the photoreceptors of the compound eye of the butterfly Heliconius erato specifically reflect red light and that this increases the sensitivity of the eye to red light. Because H. erato has a red forewing patch which plays a role in the release of courtship activity, it was also proposed that the reflexions were related to the behavioural responsiveness of the animal to the colour red. We wish to comment on the behavioural and physiological implications of this observation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 33620

    S. L. SWIHART & W. C. GORDON

Authors
  1. S. L. SWIHART
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  2. W. C. GORDON
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SWIHART, S., GORDON, W. Red Photoreceptor in Butterflies. Nature 231, 126–127 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/231126a0

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