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Shine and Hide: Biological Photonic Crystals on the Wings of Weevils

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2013

Bodo D. Wilts ,
Natasja IJbema ,
Kristel Michielsen ,
Hans De Raedt  and
Doekele G. Stavenga
Bodo D. Wilts
Affiliation:
Computational Physics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, NL-9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, EU
Natasja IJbema
Affiliation:
Computational Physics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, NL-9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, EU
Kristel Michielsen
Affiliation:
Institute for Advanced Simulation, Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Research Centre Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany, EU
Hans De Raedt
Affiliation:
Computational Physics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, NL-9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, EU
Doekele G. Stavenga
Affiliation:
Computational Physics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, NL-9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands, EU
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Abstract

The body and elytra of the diamond weevil, Entimus imperialis, is studded with numerous brightly colored scales. The scales exhibit brilliant reflections because they contain unusually large diamond-type photonic crystals. The scales are concentrated in pits on the otherwise black elytra. This framing enhances the color contrast when the weevil is observed from nearby. From a distance the diamond weevil looks green, alike green foliage. Another weevil, Eupholus cuvieri, has also scales with green reflective photonic crystals, but here the scales are arranged closely apposed on the planar elytra. Both weevils use photonic crystals for camouflage, but the display methods are different.

Keywords

biologicalbiomaterialoptical properties
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1504: Symposium V – Geometry and Topology of Biomolecular and Functional Nanomaterials , 2013 , mrsf12-1504-v08-03
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013

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References

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