Nanomorphology of the blue iridescent wings of a giant tropical wasp, "Megascolia procer javanensis" (Hymenoptera)

TL;DR

This study investigates the nanomorphology and iridescent coloration of the giant tropical wasp's wings, revealing a homogeneous chitin layer responsible for iridescence and melanin contributing to opacity.

Contribution

It provides detailed structural insights into the wing's nanomorphology and clarifies the origin of iridescence and opacity in this species.

Findings

Iridescence is caused by a homogeneous transparent chitin layer.

Opacity results from melanin in the wing's stratified structure.

The study combines spectroscopy, microscopy, and physical modeling.

Abstract

The wings of the giant wasp "Megascolia Procer Javanensis" are opaque and iridescent. The origin of the blue-green iridescence is studied in detail, using reflection spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and physical modelling. It is shown that the structure responsible for the iridescence is a single homogeneous transparent chitin layer covering the whole surface of each wing. The opacity is essentially due to the presence of melanin in the stratified medium which forms the mechanical core of the wing.