In nature, nanopores are often responsible for broadband light scattering phenomena. For example, some snakes develop white, reflecting ventral scales to avoid overheating caused by highly radiative soil and rocks. Female Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa caerulea) are covered with blue hairs on their head, thorax, and parts of the abdomen serving for intraspecific recognition. We report on the optical properties of nanopores, resulting in structural whiteness in snake ventral scales and vivid blue hues in Carpenter bees due to both pigmentary and structural color. In my presentation, I review our recent studies on natural broadband reflecting structures reflecting light due to nanopores.
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