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Abstract
Charidotella ambita offers a unique opportunity for unambiguously locating its gold reflector by comparing the structure of reflecting and non-reflecting cuticle of the elytron and pronotum. Using light microscopy and TEM, the reflector was located underneath the macrofiber endocuticle just above the epidermis. The reflector is a multilayer comprising up to 50 bilayers alternating high and low density layers parallel to the surface of the cuticle. It is chirped, i.e., showing a progressive decrease in layer thickness from approximately 150 nm–100 nm across its depth. The high density layers in contact with the endocuticle fuse to the last macrofiber when the reflector is interrupted by a trabecula, demonstrating their cuticular nature. Simulated reflectance spectra from models of the multilayer matched the reflection spectra measured on the major gold patch of the elytron of living specimens. Previous reports in adult insects exhibiting metallic colors located their reflector in the upper strata and structures of the cuticle, i.e., epicuticle, exocuticle, scales and hairs. Thus, the endocuticular location of the reflector in C. ambita (and other tortoise beetles) appears unique for adult insects. Gold reflection appears in C. ambita only when the synthesis of the macrolayer endocuticle is complete, which may take up to 2 weeks. The development of the gold reflector coincides with the start of mating behavior, possibly suggesting a signaling function in conspecific recognition once sexual maturity has been reached.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 509-518 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Arthropod Structure and Development |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2016 |
Keywords
- Chrysomelidae
- Elytra
- Gold reflector
- Structural color
- Tortoise beetle
- Ultrastructure
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Equipment
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Optics, Lasers and spectroscopy
Lepere, M. (Manager)
Technological Platform Optics, Lasers and spectroscopyFacility/equipment: Technological Platform
Student theses
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Mécanismes fondamentaux de la coloration structurale : addiction et induction de couleurs
Mouchet, S. (Author)Deparis, O. (Supervisor), Su, B. L. (Jury), Lepere, M. (President), Vukusic, P. (Jury), Berthier, S. (Jury) & Voue, M. (Jury), 29 Sept 2015Student thesis: Doc types › Doctor of Sciences