'Color' processing in the butterfly visual system

The swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus, has excellent color discrimination abilities, and its visible light spectrum is notably wide. We discuss the neural basis of color vision in P. xuthus, highlighting some of the evolutionary adaptations in this species in relation to other insects. These adaptations include inter-photoreceptor (PR) interactions that produce spectral-opponent PRs, and complex higher order color-coding neurons.

Automated summary

The swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus, has exceptional color vision and a wide visible light spectrum. This study explores the neural mechanisms of color vision in P. xuthus and highlights its evolutionary adaptations, including inter-photoreceptor interactions and complex higher order color-coding neurons.