Open AccessStructural color change in longhorn beetles Tmesisternus isabellae
Author(s) -
F. Liu,
Biqin Dong,
X. H. Liu,
Yongmei Zheng,
Jian Zi
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.016183
Subject(s) - iridescence , structural coloration , longhorn beetle , shape change , biomimetics , materials science , photonics , optics , nanotechnology , ecology , photonic crystal , optoelectronics , biology , biophysics , physics
The elytra of longhorn beetles Tmesisternus isabellae show iridescent golden coloration which stems from long and flat scales imbricated densely on the elytral surface. The scales are able to change coloration from golden in the dry state to red in the wet state with water absorption. Structural characterizations revealed that the iridescent coloration of scales originates from a multilayer in the scale interior. Measurements on both water contact angle and chemical composition indicated that scales are hydrophilic. The change in scale coloration to red in the wet state is due to both the swelling of the multilayer period and water infiltration. The unraveled structural color change and its strategy may not only help us get insight into the biological functionality of structural coloration but also inspire the designs of artificial photonic devices.