Banner photo: Many beetle species such as the green mint leaf beetle (Chrysolina haemoptera) have developed unusual physical traits to protect themselves and their progeny. The hard chitin–polyphenol–protein complex armor with a thin, water repellant cover, is the first and most important line of defense against predators and pathogens. The highly ordered structure of chitin also confer the beetle the unique metallic green color, which is know as structural color observed on its elytra.
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