Rapid and reversible humidity-dependent colour change by water film formation in a scaled springtail: Image compilations and video recordings

Colour is often not a static trait but can change over time either through biotic or abiotic factors.  Humidity-dependent colour change can occur through either morphological change (e.g. to feather barbules in birds) or by the replacement of air by water causing a shift in refractive index, as seen in arthropod multilayer cuticles or scales. The scaled springtail Lepidocyrtus cyaneus has scales that produce color largely via thin film interference from their lamina. We observed a marked colour change from golden to violet/purple colouration in humid conditions. Light microscopy, microspectrophotometry, contact angle goniometry and optical modelling indicate that the formation of a thin film of water on top of the hydrophilic scales increases their laminar thin film thickness, causing a shift towards violet/purple colour. Evaporation of the water film causes the metallic golden colour to return. This constitutes a remarkably rapid colour change (in the order of seconds), only limited by the speed of water film condensation and evaporation, that may serve as inspiration for new dynamically coloured materials and sensors.