ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the various pigmentary and structural colouration principles that can be recognised in brightly coloured bird feathers, butterfly wing scales and insect cuticle. Examples of one-dimensional (1D) photonic systems can be found among both birds and insects. Of special interest are the 3D photonic crystals of butterfly and weevil scales as well as the quasi-ordered photonic systems of bird feather barbs. The biological examples may provide crucial inspiration for technical applications.
