Molecular mechanisms underlying UV reflecting wax production in the light blue dragonflies

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26660276
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Insect science
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Futahashi Ryo 国立研究開発法人産業技術総合研究所, 生物プロセス研究部門, 主任研究員 (50549889)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: トンボ / 体表構造 / 紫外線反射 / 体色変化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Male of the light blue dragonfly Orthetrum albistylum changes the body color from light brown to light blue in the maturation process. We found that this color transition is attributed to the changes of the wax-based surface nanostructures, which coincides with strong UV reflection and water repellency. We also identified seven components of UV reflecting wax, and confirmed that the synthesized wax also had UV reflection and water repellency abilities.

Free Research Field

昆虫分子生物学