Continuation Experiment: Resolving the structure and composition of weevils cuticular scales and diamond photonic crystals with intermediate

It is unknown how insects form 3D photonic crystals and diversify structural colours via similar compositions (chitin and proteins). We found five phylogenetically close but differently coloured Pachyrhynchus weevils develop 3D diamond photonic crystals in each scale and tune the crystal orientations to produce different colours. We hypothesize such differences in photonic crystal structures between species are accompanied by variations in cuticle compositions, specifically the ratio of chitin/protein and their crystallinity. High-resolution XRF-XRD study suggested here will be complemented with micro-FTIR and micro-Raman mapping. This work will reveal the correlation between molecular compositions and photonic crystals structure in differently coloured cuticular scales, the distribution of different components in the skin and photonic crystals in cuticular scales will pave the way for understanding the morphogenesis of diamond photonic crystals of Pachyrhynchus weevils