Insects build carapaces of gold and pearls:
Artist Hubert Dupras observed that the aquatic caddis fly begins its life in a larval stage and must build an artificial carapace in order to survive into adulthood.
He wondered what would happen if the caddis flies were given gold flakes and pearls to build with rather than their customary sticks and rocks.
Above and
below, the results.
(Via bookofjoe)