WendyradioAug 11, 2023
Wonder of Science

The amazing golden color of these scarab beetles (Chrysina resplendens) is not a result of pigmentation or actual metal, but ≈70 microscropic chitin layers of decreasing thickness that reflect light to produce a metallic effect.

Video credit: insecthaus_adi/ig
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BVaHvmIhjbb/

Further reading: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/882153

Adrian Kozakiewicz/Insecthaus® on Instagram: "Chrysina resplendens 😍 more videos here: @insecthaus_adi"

23K likes, 949 comments - insecthaus_adi on June 16, 2017: "Chrysina resplendens 😍 more videos here: @insecthaus_adi".

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Jul 27, 2023 at 1:23pmWeb
Show threadAndromeda YeltonJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience are you 100% sure these are beetles from the actual world and not entities from my D&D campaign
Show threadanomalocarisJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience Structural colouration baybee!
Show thread🥥 Tucker Carlson's Nuts 🥥Jul 27, 2023
@anomalocaris @wonderofscience
🥥 FTW! 🥥
Show threadbenJul 27, 2023

@wonderofscience @lisamelton

::heavy breathing::

Show thread🥥 Tucker Carlson's Nuts 🥥Jul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience
🥥 Gold bugs! 🥥
Show thread⁂Krafty⁂ #NoKingsJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience No wonder people thought they were gods!
Show threadProfesseur RenardAug 5, 2023
@tkk13909 @wonderofscience Yeah, I bet the Egyptians of Ramesses II’s day couldn’t get enough of these creatures of Khepri.
Show threadphi1997Jul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience
They're beautiful
Show threadethanJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience ALT text: cupped hands opening to reveal they hold about 14 scarab beetles. They are gold-colored (how a warm sunny day feels on skin) and shine like jewelry, reflecting the light. The beetles are about as big as an adult's thumb, and their wings lie folded on their back making them look like tidy, smooth stones. The combination of the gold-color, reflectivity, and their general appearance make them look almost fake, like a moving sculpture or a toy (at least to me)
Show thread[email protected]Jul 28, 2023
@strangebirds @wonderofscience What a lovely AltText, reading it makes watching the clip even better!
Show threadawkapumaJul 27, 2023

@wonderofscience

Anyone else thinking about "The Golden Bug" from Edgar Allan Poe? Nature is amazing.

Show threadShannonJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience Amazing!
Show threadAviva GaryJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience Wow...
Show threadCurrywurstJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience
You can see why the Ancient Egyptians would worship them.
Show threadCarla MartinJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience Wow! 😊
Show threadशिवदम् ⓋJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience WOW!!
Show threadFrisco LaLaJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience @mikako6 🪲 💛
Show threadAngelaJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience so how would one replicate this in manicure form? 🤔 💅 🪲✨
Show threadA. Seth MillerJul 27, 2023
@wonderofscience GOLDBUGS
Show threadEdelruth, PBS Passport HolderJul 28, 2023

@wonderofscience

My whole family is fascinated by this video, especially my granddaughters (6 &3).

Show threadPity Please! The GameJul 28, 2023
@wonderofscience Nature is amazing!!! 🤯
Show threadikJul 28, 2023
@wonderofscience

If only people could do this with Keratin instead of Chitin ... 🤔😁
Show threadWendyradioAug 11, 2023
@wonderofscience I wonder why that evolved
Show threadIan MoltonAug 11, 2023
@wonderofscience @wendyradio Blind it's predators?
Show threadWendyradioAug 11, 2023
@spyro @wonderofscience yeah could be