Mechanical properties of elytra from Tribolium castaneum wild-type and body color mutant strains

▶ Mechanical analysis distinguishes among elytra of Tribolium castaneum color mutants. ▶ Frequency sweep power law exponent differs for black color mutant from all others. ▶ Data suggests black elytra have β-alanine-deficient and dopamine-abundant metabolism. ▶ Greater melanin production occurs at the expense of cuticular protein cross-linking.