image: This explanatory image illustrates how light interacts with the elytra of a ladybird to generate color. The internal structure includes an interference layer that selectively reflects certain wavelengths, depending on its average refractive index. Pigments also contribute to the perceived color: melanin, which absorbs all visible wavelengths, is responsible for the black color of the spots.
Credit: Marzia Carrada, CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Ladybirds' complex colors may result from a combination of pigments and physical properties of their wingcase
Article URL: https://plos.io/4jnQti0
Article title: Decoding ladybird’s colours: Structural mechanisms of colour production and pigment modulation
Author countries: France
Funding: This study has been supported through the EUR grant NanoX n° ANR-17-EURE-0009 in the framework of the “Programme des Investissements d’Avenir.” Part of this research has also been supported by the University Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier through the project “AO recherche Tremplin “Arc-En-Ciel.” There was no additional external funding received for this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Journal
PLOS One
Article Title
Decoding ladybird’s colours: Structural mechanisms of colour production and pigment modulation
Article Publication Date
11-Jun-2025
COI Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.