Iridescence is a form of structural colour which uses regular repeating nanostructures to reflect light at slightly different angles, causing a colour-change effect.
Iridescence is a form of structural colour which uses regular repeating nanostructures to reflect light at slightly different angles, causing a colour-change effect.
It is common in nature, from the dazzling blues of peacock’s feathers, to the gem-like appearance of insects.
Although using bright flashy colours as camouflage may seem counterintuitive, researchers at the Bristol Camo Lab found that intense iridescence obstructs the bumblebee's ability to identify shape.
The eyes of bumblebees have been extensively studied by scientists and are very similar to those of other insects.
They can be used as a visual model for predatory insects such as wasps and hornets. When presented with different types of artificial flower targets rewarded with sugar water, the bees learned to recognise which shapes contained the sweet reward.
Read more at University of Bristol
Image: This is a bumblebee landing on an iridescent target. (Credit: Karin Kjernsmo)
