Researchers have discovered a unique feature in an ant found in South America that can absorb nearly all visible light. The velvet ant’s exoskeleton contains a highly specialized structure that minimizes light reflection and maximizes absorption, making it one of the most ultra-black features ever studied.
This complex makeup is considered aposematic, meaning its colors may ward off predators, but also have functions in camouflage and protection against solar radiation. Ultra-black materials are rare in nature, but this ant’s unique trait has sparked interest in their potential use as a type of camouflage or mating display.
The study’s findings suggest that the ultra-black coloration may offer substantial adaptive advantages for the species, particularly in reducing specular reflectance. This demonstrates how organisms have developed sophisticated mechanisms to modulate light interaction with biological surfaces, leading to highly absorptive and minimally reflective colors.
This discovery highlights nature’s ingenuity in achieving structural absorption, which can be applied to various fields such as solar panels, military camouflage, and aerospace applications. The vast biodiversity of Brazil provides a rich environment for discovering new species and traits, making this finding an exciting step towards further research and human advancements.
Source: https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/velvet-ant-ultrablack-brazil