Ancyluris meliboeus

Description

Ancyluris meliboeus (meliboeus swordtail) is a butterfly of the family Riodinidae. It is found in Surinam, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia and Peru. The wingspan is about 40 mm. A recent study has shown that it has patches of unusual microstructure on the ventral wing scales. This highly tilted, multilayered arrangement produces a bright iridescence of broad wavelength range and generates a strong flicker contrast from minimal wing movement.