Polarized iridescence of the tropical carpenter bee, Xylocopa latipes
Abstract
The tropical carpenter bee, Xylocopa latipes, has metallic-reflecting, iridescent wings. The wing reflectance spectra for TE- and TM-polarized light depend on the angle of light incidence in a way characteristic for dielectric multilayers. Anatomy indicates the presence of melanin multilayers in the wing’s chitinous matrix. A simple optical model of melanin multilayers explains the angle dependence of the wing reflectance spectra. The wing reflections that occur upon oblique illumination exhibit colourful and strongly polarized light patterns, which may mediate intraspecific signaling and mutual recognition by conspecifics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 16, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1007/s00359-022-01592-9
Entities
People
- Doekele G Stavenga
- Hein L. Leertouwer
- Kim Kats
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development