The beetle species has a strange bright white color

A tiny animal in Southeast Asia used to waste so much ink and paintbrush because of its bright white color. British researchers at Exeter University discovered that the legs and shells of this Cyphochilus beetle are brighter white than milk or enamel thanks to a unique structure.

White is considered very rare in nature. Unlike colors that depend on pigments and surface structures, white can only be created from a material that can diffuse light in all directions.

Dr. Pete Vukusic and his colleagues noted that the beetle Cyphochilus is covered with a layer of scales only 5 micrometers thick. The structure inside the scales is completely uneven, creating this strange whiteness.

According to the researchers, to create bright white, paper and plastic materials need twice the thickness. They explain that the upper beetle has developed this white color to be able to hide among mushrooms. Scientists are looking to simulate its structure to improve current synthesis methods.

Cyphochilus beetle (Photo: nouvelobs.com)

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