The Jewelled beetle, or Chrysina gloriosa, is coloured a brilliant green. Interestingly, they have no green pigment in the cells of their exoskeleton. Only now have scientists discovered how the beetles have this colour. Microscopic cells on the outer layer of the exoskeleton make the beetle appear green under light that is polarized in one direction.
Jewelled Beetle
So now let’s do a little physics. Polarisation is the certain orientation of light waves. White light is a mix of randomly polarised light.
The microscopic cells on the beetle are helical to reflect light polarised in the same direction of the spiral. The colour produced by the cells is determined by the size between the turns of the helices, and obviously the distance between the turns on these cells corresponded to green.
The Cosmic Perspective
The scarab sparkles:
a jewel amongst the dust.
Green under the blue.
It really does look like a jewell with gold trim.
Now if we could use the same technique for cars it would be interesting!
There are several scientific facts which are interesting. Thanks a lot.
They are lovely!
I can see why the ancients honored the Scarab Beetle! I read some people in South America wear Beetles as brooches.
I have Fig Beetles in the vegetable garden. I love watching them fly about and than bury themselves in the dirt! I do not think they would be good brooches, although they are very jewel like.
Nice to know why the beautiful green.
Sherry
I have heard that too, and it is no surprise.