Readers ask about the limits of de-extinction, crater shapes and more

Mirror, mirror

Clay models of dull and shiny beetles showed that Christmas beetles’ mirrorlike exterior may not serve as a form of camouflage against predators, Susan Milius reported in “Scientists scuff a theory about shiny disguises” (SN: 4/9/22, p. 4).

Perhaps the clay models were simply not able to reproduce all the potential ways that the beetles’ glittery bodies affect light and protect the insect, reader Ron Kern suggested.