By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News
At their brilliant best, the colours of beetles can make the insects look like they are made of some precious metal.
But when these beetles die and become fossilised, how much of that iridescent beauty is preserved?
It is a question that has been puzzling Dr Maria McNamara from Yale University.
Her microscopic study of ancient beetles has shown how any retained colours will be subtly altered. Blues in life will become greens in death, it seems.
It is a fascinating observation because it means scientists can say with greater confidence what a creature really looked like millions of years ago.
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more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15095976http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2011/09/20/rspb.2011.1677.short?rss=1
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