Amazing beetle fossils

[blasphemusfish]

Comments

[rahni]

Wow pretty! Reminds me of ammolite.

[shadsdf]

This is so awesome! I had no idea iridescence could fossilize.

[kincajou]

it is very strange, how these fragile creatures compete against millions years of death. Die young stay pretty, huh

[blasphemusfish]

It turns out their colours aren't made from chemical pigments, but rather the actual structure of their shells. Even with fossilisation, the structure remains similar to when the beetles were alive and still refract light, but they do appear more red than they would have in life C:

[kincajou]

yeas, I know that. Iridescence, interfence, phase shifts, etc. Ideal pigment is no-such-pigment

[blasphemusfish]

Oh my bad. I guess Ii didn't see it as strange, rare and freaking amazing - yes.

[wymorefyw]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6M_6qOz-yw