Graduate student Rachel Thayer is attending the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Winter Course “Evolution of Complex Systems”.  She gave a short presentation describing her work on structural blue color in Buckeye butterflies.  In addition to hearing from a line-up of top Evo-Devo researchers, she has used the opportunity to examine a few species of Okinawan butterflies with structural blue colors, and will be visiting the lab of Dr. Otaki at the University of the Ryukyus.   Dr. Otaki studies Precis orithya, a species with striking structural blue scales that is commonly seen in Okinawa.  Shown is Rachel in front of the 2 million gallon Kuroshio Sea tank at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and a male Precis orithya that was hanging around the meeting venue (click photo to enlarge).