Hierarchical woven fibrillar structures in developing single gyroids in butterflies

Anna-Lee Jessop; Peta L Clode; Martin Saunders; Myfanwy E Evans; Stephen T Hyde; James N McPherson; Kasper S Pedersen; Jacob J K Kirkensgaard; Nipam H Patel; Kyle A DeMarr; W Owen McMillan; Bodo D Wilts; Gerd E Schröder-Turk

doi:10.1073/pnas.2507297122

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Hierarchical woven fibrillar structures in developing single gyroids in butterflies

Journal article

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Hierarchical woven fibrillar structures in developing single gyroids in butterflies

Anna-Lee Jessop, Peta L Clode, Martin Saunders, Myfanwy E Evans, Stephen T Hyde, James N McPherson, Kasper S Pedersen, Jacob J K Kirkensgaard, Nipam H Patel, Kyle A DeMarr, …

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.122(40), e2507297122

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2507297122

PMID: 41004231

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Abstract

entanglement

Parides sesostris

electron diﬀraction

chitin

biophotonic

Nature offers a remarkable diversity of nanomaterials that have extraordinary functional and structural properties. Intrinsic to nature is the impressive ability to form complex ordered nanomaterials via self-organization. One particularly intriguing nanostructure is the gyroid, a network-like structure exhibiting high symmetry and complex topology. Although its existence in cells and tissues across many biological kingdoms is well documented, how and why it forms remains elusive and uncovering these formation mechanisms will undoubtedly inform bioinspired designs. A beautiful example is the smooth single gyroid that is found in the wing scales of several butterflies, where it behaves as a photonic crystal generating a vibrant green color. Here, we report that the gyroid structures of the Emerald-patched Cattleheart, Parides sesostris, develop as woven fibrillar structures, in contrast to the commonly held assumption that they form as smooth constructs. Ultramicroscopy of pupal tissue reveals that the gyroid geometry consists of helical weavings of fibers, akin to hyperbolic line patterns decorating the gyroid. Interestingly, despite their fibrillar nature, electron diffraction reveals the absence of crystalline order within this material. Similar fibrillar structures are also observed in the mature wing scales of P. sesostris specimens with surgically altered pupal development, leading to a blue coloration. Our findings not only introduce a variation of the gyroid in biology but also have significant implications for our understanding of its formation in nature.

Details

Title: Hierarchical woven fibrillar structures in developing single gyroids in butterflies
Authors/Creators: Anna-Lee Jessop - Murdoch University
Peta L Clode - The University of Western Australia
Martin Saunders - The University of Western Australia
Myfanwy E Evans - University of Potsdam
Stephen T Hyde - Australian National University
James N McPherson - Technical University of Denmark
Kasper S Pedersen - Technical University of Denmark
Jacob J K Kirkensgaard - University of Copenhagen
Nipam H Patel - Marine Biological Laboratory
Kyle A DeMarr - University of California, Berkeley
W Owen McMillan - Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Bodo D Wilts - University of Salzburg
Gerd E Schröder-Turk - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.122(40), e2507297122
Publisher: National Academy of Sciences.
Grant note: RGP0034/202 / Human Frontiers Science Program DP200102593 / Department of Education and Training | Australian Research Council (ARC)
Identifiers: 991005814543807891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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