Scientists say that the the shiny jewel beetles use their iridescent wings as a form of camouflage to hide in plain sight. The wings can even change colour depending on the angle from which they are viewed to blend in with their surroundings.
Dr Karin Kjernsmo of the University of Bristol was one of the main authors of the study. He explained that the insect’s “masking ability” creates the “illusion of inconsistent features and depth” which, in return, confuses potential predators.
He added:“Our study is the first solid evidence for the idea that iridescence can work as highly-effective form of camouflage, and ultimately this could explain why iridescence has evolved in so many different species of animals.”
The findings were published in the journal Current Biology.
