Structural coloration Animal coloration

the brilliant iridescent colours of peacock s tail feathers created structural coloration.



butterfly wing @ different magnifications reveals microstructured chitin acting diffraction grating.

while many animals unable synthesize carotenoid pigments create red , yellow surfaces, green , blue colours of bird feathers , insect carapaces not produced pigments @ all, structural coloration. structural coloration means production of colour microscopically-structured surfaces fine enough interfere visible light, in combination pigments: example, peacock tail feathers pigmented brown, structure makes them appear blue, turquoise , green. structural coloration can produce brilliant colours, iridescent. example, blue/green gloss on plumage of birds such ducks, , purple/blue/green/red colours of many beetles , butterflies created structural coloration. animals use several methods produce structural colour, described in table.