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McDonald CL, Alcalde GT, Jones TC, Laude RAP, Yap SA, Bhamla S. Wax "Tails" Enable Planthopper Nymphs to Self-Right Midair and Land on Their Feet. Integr Comp Biol 2024; 64:619-631. [PMID: 38982316 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icae104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The striking appearance of wax 'tails'-posterior wax projections on planthopper nymphs-has captivated entomologists and naturalists alike. Despite their intriguing presence, the functional roles of these formations remain largely unexplored. This study leverages high-speed imaging to uncover the biomechanical implications of wax structures in the aerial dynamics of planthopper nymphs (Ricania sp.). We quantitatively demonstrate that removing wax tails significantly increases body rotations during jumps. Specifically, nymphs without wax undergo continuous rotations, averaging 4.2 ± 1.8 per jump, in contrast to wax-intact nymphs, who do not complete a full rotation, averaging only 0.7 ± 0.2 per jump. This along with significant reductions in angular and translational velocity from takeoff to landing suggest that aerodynamic drag forces on wax structures effectively counteract rotation. These stark differences in body rotation correlate with landing success: Nymphs with wax intact achieve a near perfect landing rate of 98.5%, while those without wax manage only a 35.5% success rate. Jump trajectory analysis reveals that wax-intact jumps transition from parabolic to asymmetric shapes at higher takeoff velocities and show a significantly greater reduction in velocity from takeoff to landing compared to wax-removed jumps, demonstrating how wax structures help nymphs achieve more stable and controlled descents. Our findings confirm the aerodynamic self-righting functionality of wax tails in stabilizing planthopper nymph landings, advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between wax morphology and aerial maneuverability, with broader implications for wingless insect aerial adaptations and bioinspired robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L McDonald
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Gerwin T Alcalde
- Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, University of Southern Mindanao, Bai Matabay Plang Avenue Poblacion, Kabacan Cotabato 9407, Philippines
| | - Thomas C Jones
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Ruby Ana P Laude
- Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
| | - Sheryl A Yap
- Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
| | - Saad Bhamla
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
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McDonald CL, Alcalde GT, Jones TC, Laude RAP, Yap SA, Bhamla MS. Wax "tails" enable planthopper nymphs to self-right midair and land on their feet. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589523. [PMID: 38659822 PMCID: PMC11042284 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The striking appearance of wax 'tails' - posterior wax projections on planthopper nymphs - has captivated entomologists and naturalists alike. Despite their intriguing presence, the functional roles of these structures remain largely unexplored. This study leverages high-speed imaging to uncover the biomechanical implications of these wax formations in the aerial dynamics of planthopper nymphs (Ricania sp.). We quantitatively demonstrate that removing wax tails significantly increases body rotations during jumps. Specifically, nymphs without wax projections undergo continuous rotations, averaging 4.3 ± 1.9 per jump, in contrast to wax-intact nymphs, who narrowly complete a full rotation, averaging only 0.7 ± 0.2 per jump. This suggests that wax structures effectively counteract rotation through aerodynamic drag forces. These stark differences in body rotation correlate with landing success: nymphs with wax intact achieve a near perfect landing rate of 98.5%, while those without wax manage only a 35.5% success rate. Jump trajectory analysis reveals transitions from parabolic to Tartaglia shapes at higher take-off velocities for wax-intact nymphs, illustrating how wax structures assist nymphs in achieving stable, controlled descents. Our findings confirm the aerodynamic self-righting functionality of wax tails in stabilizing planthopper landings, advancing our understanding of the complex interplay between wax morphology and aerial maneuverability, with broader implications for the evolution of flight in wingless insects and bioinspired robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L. McDonald
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gerwin T. Alcalde
- Institute of Weed Science, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, 4031, Philippines
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan Cotabato, Philippines
| | - Thomas C. Jones
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Ruby Ana P. Laude
- Institute of Weed Science, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, 4031, Philippines
| | - Sheryl A. Yap
- Institute of Weed Science, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, 4031, Philippines
| | - M. Saad Bhamla
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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Li C, Xu AJ, Beery E, Hsieh ST, Kane SA. Putting a new spin on insect jumping performance using 3D modeling and computer simulations of spotted lanternfly nymphs. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb246340. [PMID: 37668246 PMCID: PMC10565111 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246340] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
How animals jump and land on diverse surfaces is ecologically important and relevant to bioinspired robotics. Here, we describe the jumping biomechanics of the planthopper Lycorma delicatula (spotted lanternfly), an invasive insect in the USA that jumps frequently for dispersal, locomotion and predator evasion. High-speed video was used to analyze jumping by spotted lanternfly nymphs from take-off to impact on compliant surfaces. These insects used rapid hindleg extensions to achieve high take-off speeds (2.7-3.4 m s-1) and accelerations (800-1000 m s-2), with mid-air trajectories consistent with ballistic motion without drag forces or steering. Despite rotating rapidly (5-45 Hz) about time-varying axes of rotation, they landed successfully in 58.9% of trials. They also attained the most successful impact orientation significantly more often than predicted by chance, consistent with their using attitude control. Notably, these insects were able to land successfully when impacting surfaces at all angles, pointing to the importance of collisional recovery behaviors. To further understand their rotational dynamics, we created realistic 3D rendered models of spotted lanternflies and used them to compute their mechanical properties during jumping. Computer simulations based on these models and drag torques estimated from fits to tracked data successfully predicted several features of the measured rotational kinematics. This analysis showed that the rotational inertia of spotted lanternfly nymphs is predominantly due to their legs, enabling them to use posture changes as well as drag torque to control their angular velocity, and hence their orientation, thereby facilitating predominately successful landings when jumping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengpei Li
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Haverford College, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Aaron J. Xu
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Haverford College, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - Eric Beery
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Haverford College, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
| | - S. Tonia Hsieh
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Suzanne Amador Kane
- Physics and Astronomy Department, Haverford College, Haverford, PA 19041, USA
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Ruan Y, Zhang M, Kundrata R, Qiu L, Ge S, Yang X, Chen X, Jiang S. Functional Morphology of the Thorax of the Click Beetle Campsosternus auratus (Coleoptera, Elateridae), with an Emphasis on Its Jumping Mechanism. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030248. [PMID: 35323546 PMCID: PMC8955093 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Click beetles are well-known for the specialized thoracic structure, which they can click to thrust themselves into the air and to right themselves. Several aspects of their jumping mechanism were still not entirely clear prior to this study. We utilized traditional dissection, 3D virtual dissection, and high-speed filming techniques to investigate the functional morphology of their thorax. Our results show several new insights into their extraordinary clicking and jumping mechanisms. Abstract We investigated and described the thoracic structures, jumping mechanism, and promesothoracic interlocking mechanism of the click beetle Campsosternus auratus (Drury) (Elateridae: Dendrometrinae). Two experiments were conducted to reveal the critical muscles and sclerites involved in the jumping mechanism. They showed that M2 and M4 are essential clicking-related muscles. The prosternal process, the prosternal rest of the mesoventrite, the mesoventral cavity, the base of the elytra, and the posterodorsal evagination of the pronotum are critical clicking-related sclerites. The destruction of any of these muscles and sclerites resulted in the loss of normal clicking and jumping ability. The mesonotum was identified as a highly specialized saddle-shaped biological spring that can store elastic energy and release it abruptly. During the jumping process of C. auratus, M2 contracts to establish and latch the clicking system, and M4 contracts to generate energy. The specialized thoracic biological springs (e.g., the prosternum and mesonotum) and elastic cuticles store and abruptly release the colossal energy, which explosively raises the beetle body in a few milliseconds. The specialized trigger muscle for the release of the clicking was not found; our study supports the theory that the triggering of the clicking is due to the building-up of tension (i.e., elastic energy) in the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongying Ruan
- Plant Protection Research Center, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Y.R.); (M.Z.); (S.J.)
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Mengna Zhang
- Plant Protection Research Center, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Y.R.); (M.Z.); (S.J.)
| | - Robin Kundrata
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. Listopadu 50, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic;
| | - Lu Qiu
- Engineering Research Center for Forest and Grassland Disaster Prevention and Reduction, Mianyang Normal University, Mianxing West Road, Mianyang 621000, China;
| | - Siqin Ge
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
- Correspondence: (S.G.); (X.C.)
| | - Xingke Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
- Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Xiaoqin Chen
- Plant Protection Research Center, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Y.R.); (M.Z.); (S.J.)
- Correspondence: (S.G.); (X.C.)
| | - Shihong Jiang
- Plant Protection Research Center, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Y.R.); (M.Z.); (S.J.)
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Knight K. Burly lantern bugs are lightning-fast leapers. J Exp Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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