Fluorescence in insects

Victoria L. Welch; Eloise Van Hooijdonk; Nurit Intrater; Jean-Pol Vigneron

doi:10.1117/12.929547

11 October 2012 Fluorescence in insects

Victoria L. Welch, Eloise Van Hooijdonk, Nurit Intrater, Jean-Pol Vigneron

Proceedings Volume 8480, The Nature of Light: Light in Nature IV; 848004 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.929547
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Fluorescent molecules are much in demand for biosensors, solar cells, LEDs and VCSEL diodes, therefore, considerable efforts have been expended in designing and tailoring fluorescence to specific technical applications. However, naturally occurring fluorescence of diverse types has been reported from a wide array of living organisms: most famously, the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, but also in over 100 species of coral and in the cuticle of scorpions, where it is the rule, rather than the exception.

Despite the plethora of known insect species, comparatively few quantitative studies have been made of insect fluorescence. Because of the potential applications of natural fluorescence, studies in this field have relevance to both physics and biology. Therefore, in this paper, we review the literature on insect fluorescence, before documenting its occurrence in the longhorn beetles Sternotomis virescens, Sternotomis variabilis var. semi rufescens, Anoplophora elegans and Stellognatha maculata, the tiger beetles Cicindela maritima and Cicindela germanica and the weevil Pachyrrhynchus gemmatus purpureus. Optical features of insect fluorescence, including emitted wavelength, molecular ageing and naturally occurring combinations of fluorescence with bioluminescence and colour-producing structures are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Victoria L. Welch, Eloise Van Hooijdonk, Nurit Intrater, and Jean-Pol Vigneron "Fluorescence in insects", Proc. SPIE 8480, The Nature of Light: Light in Nature IV, 848004 (11 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.929547

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