Progress in research on insect pigments
Author of the article:SUN Ming-Xia;YIN Hai-Wei;WANG Jing-Xia;LIANG Ai-Ping
Author's Workplace:Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Shanghai Ideaoptics Corporation, Shanghai 200433, China; Laboratory of Bioinspired-Smart Interface Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Key Words:insect cuticle; pigment; optical effect; research progress; bionic application
Abstract:
The insect cuticle
has rich coloration which contributes to multiple functions such as gender
recognition, camouflage, aposematism and prey avoidance. In contrast to the
comparatively limited study of pigments, there has been considerable progress
in research on the importance of microstructure on the optical effect of insect
cuticle. Furthermore, the concrete contribution of some known pigments to
insect colour mechanism remains unclear. This article categorizes insect
pigments, describes where they exist and their physical and chemical
properties. Pigments are distributed in more than 300 insect species in 10
orders. Biosynthetic pathways are outlined based on the published literature.
Possible solutions to existing problems in research on insect pigments are
proposed. Additionally, the current application, significance and possible
bionics of insect pigments are summarized and assessed.