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The jewel beetles’ iridescent, glossy wings work as a deceptive warning to protect them after detection by predators

The study is also the first to isolate the effects of gloss from iridescence.

A jewel beetle with iridescent colouration
Jewel beetle (Sternocera aequisignata) iridescence can protect prey via camouflage and by acting as a form of deceptive warning coloration. Credit: Dr Karin Kjernsmo