Structural color produced by a three-dimensional photonic polycrystal in the scales of a longhorn beetle: Pseudomyagrus waterhousei (Coleoptera: Cerambicidae)

• Published in: Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Vol. 83; no. 1 Pt 1; p. 011908
• Main Authors: Simonis, Priscilla, Vigneron, Jean Pol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 18.01.2011
• Subjects: Animals; Coleoptera - anatomy & histology; Coleoptera - chemistry; Coleoptera - genetics; Coleoptera - metabolism; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Models, Biological; Optical Phenomena; Photons; Phylogeny; Pigmentation; Pigments, Biological - chemistry; Pigments, Biological - metabolism

The cuticle of the longhorn beetle Pseudomyagrus waterhousei shows a diffuse pattern of mixed blue and violet colors. These colorations arise from a dense layer of droplet-shaped scales covering the dorsal parts of the cuticle. In spite of their lack of iridescence, these colors are shown to be stru...