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Fu K, Zhang J, Hu J, Wu J, Yang Y. Morphological and structural characteristics of the elytra reduce impact damage to ladybird beetles. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 154:104630. [PMID: 38432606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Beetle elytra act as natural protective covers and effectively shield their flexible abdomens and fragile hindwings from damage. The existing studies have attributed this contribution of the elytra to its honeycomb structures. In this combined experimental and theoretical study, we used the seven-spotted ladybird beetle to demonstrate that both biological morphology and the hollow structure of the dome-like elytra combined to reduce damage during falling. The falling ladybird beetles had a high probability (59.52%) of hitting the ground with the costal edge of the elytra. This strategy could assist with converting the translational energy into rotational kinetic energy, resulting in the reduction of the impulse during falling. In addition, the hollow structures on the elytra could further absorb the residual impact energy. In the future, this biological paradigm could be used as a basis for the development of falling/landing techniques for advanced robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifei Fu
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jinbo Hu
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jianing Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; School of Advanced Manufacturing, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
| | - Yunqiang Yang
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
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Liao Y, Wang J, Lyu J, Jiang W, Wu Z, Wu J. High stability in filtration apparatus of African shrimp. iScience 2023; 26:107444. [PMID: 37599830 PMCID: PMC10432203 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The African shrimp (Atya gabonensis) uses elongated setae to filter feed, adapting to high flow velocities. The setae's stability stems from carefully designed geometric and structural parameters, notably a specialized wall and distribution principle. This study highlights the robust filtration mechanism in the shrimp and potential for developing stable structures in underwater environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Liao
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 528464, China
| | - Ji Wang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 528464, China
| | - Jun Lyu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 528464, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 528464, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 528464, China
| | - Jianing Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 528464, China
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 528464, China
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Wei J, Rico-Guevara A, Nicolson SW, Brau F, Damman P, Gorb SN, Wu Z, Wu J. Honey bees switch mechanisms to drink deep nectar efficiently. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305436120. [PMID: 37459520 PMCID: PMC10372696 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305436120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The feeding mechanisms of animals constrain the spectrum of resources that they can exploit profitably. For floral nectar eaters, both corolla depth and nectar properties have marked influence on foraging choices. We report the multiple strategies used by honey bees to efficiently extract nectar at the range of sugar concentrations and corolla depths they face in nature. Honey bees can collect nectar by dipping their hairy tongues or capillary loading when lapping it, or they can attach the tongue to the wall of long corollas and directly suck the nectar along the tongue sides. The honey bee feeding apparatus is unveiled as a multifunctional tool that can switch between lapping and sucking nectar according to the instantaneous ingesting efficiency, which is determined by the interplay of nectar-mouth distance and sugar concentration. These versatile feeding mechanisms allow honey bees to extract nectar efficiently from a wider range of floral resources than previously appreciated and endow them with remarkable adaptability to diverse foraging environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangkun Wei
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Alejandro Rico-Guevara
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98195
- Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA98105
| | - Susan W. Nicolson
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield0028, South Africa
| | - Fabian Brau
- Université libre de Bruxelles, Nonlinear Physical Chemistry Unit, CP231, Brussels1050, Belgium
| | - Pascal Damman
- Université de Mons, Laboratoire InFlux, Mons7000, Belgium
| | - Stanislav N. Gorb
- Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Department of Zoology, Kiel University, Kiel24118, Germany
| | - Zhigang Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen518107, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianing Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen518107, People’s Republic of China
- School of Advanced Manufacturing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen518107, People’s Republic of China
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Bello E, Chen Y, Alleyne M. Staying Dry and Clean: An Insect's Guide to Hydrophobicity. INSECTS 2022; 14:42. [PMID: 36661970 PMCID: PMC9861782 DOI: 10.3390/insects14010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Insects demonstrate a wide diversity of microscopic cuticular and extra-cuticular features. These features often produce multifunctional surfaces which are greatly desired in engineering and material science fields. Among these functionalities, hydrophobicity is of particular interest and has gained recent attention as it often results in other properties such as self-cleaning, anti-biofouling, and anti-corrosion. We reviewed the historical and contemporary scientific literature to create an extensive review of known hydrophobic and superhydrophobic structures in insects. We found that numerous insects across at least fourteen taxonomic orders possess a wide variety of cuticular surface chemicals and physical structures that promote hydrophobicity. We discuss a few bioinspired design examples of how insects have already inspired new technologies. Moving forward, the use of a bioinspiration framework will help us gain insight into how and why these systems work in nature. Undoubtedly, our fundamental understanding of the physical and chemical principles that result in functional insect surfaces will continue to facilitate the design and production of novel materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Bello
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Yutao Chen
- Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Marianne Alleyne
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Wang B, Yang J, Zhang J, Ke Z, Zhang H, Yang Y, Wu J. Effects of tongue hair flexural deformation on viscous fluid transport by bees. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2022; 18:016009. [PMID: 36322980 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ac9fb3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A bee's tongue is coated in dynamic hairs that gradually unfold to entrain the viscid nectar, during which hairs inevitably deflect as a result of fluid drag. The hair deflection induced decline in nectar capture rate may be a coupled elastoviscous problem and remains poorly understood. Here we employed geometric beam theory coupled with the effective viscous force to derive a dynamic model for a rotary tongue hair deflection in a viscous fluid. Considering deflection of the tongue hair, we rationalized the nectar capture rate by takingBombusterrestrisas a model system. When the nectar concentration increases from 20% to 70%, the nectar capture rate declines by 87%, indicating that hair erection is more severely impeded in thicker nectar. Based on this model, we predicted an optimal hair length with which the bee can reach the maximum nectar capture rate. This work may provide a new theoretical framework for quantifying viscous liquid transport by hairy surfaces and shed light on design methodologies for fluid transport devices using hairy beds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107 Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinzhao Yang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107 Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107 Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Zetao Ke
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107 Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Huafang Zhang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107 Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunqiang Yang
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianing Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107 Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
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Wang B, Liu X, Tang G, Wu J, Yang Y. Optimal kinematics of the bee tongue for viscous fluid transport. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:7317-7323. [PMID: 36111791 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00832g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees can forage nectar from a large spectrum of nectariferous flowers using their rhythmically erectable tongue hairs in a viscous dipping fashion that involves a faster protraction stroke toward the nectar pool and a slower retraction stroke backward. Since honey bees are capable of using their hairy tongues to adapt to various feeding environments, the kinematic characteristics of the bee tongue, especially the retraction time, would likely represent evolutionary optimization. However, the phenomenon and mechanism remain elusive. In this combined experimental and theoretical study, we established a mathematical model to analyze the effects of tongue retraction time on the energy intake rate considering the unfolding dynamics of tongue hairs in the retraction phase. The theoretical optimal retraction time at which the energy intake rate reached the maximum was governed by the dimensions of tongue hairs, which matched well with the in vivo tests. This study may not only bridge the connection between the kinematics and geometry of the bee tongue but also shed light on a control strategy for micropumps equipped with dynamic surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 100083, Beijing, P. R. China.
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, P. R. China.
| | - Xuhan Liu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, P. R. China.
| | - Guowei Tang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, P. R. China.
| | - Jianing Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, P. R. China.
| | - Yunqiang Yang
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 100083, Beijing, P. R. China.
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