A Dual Layer Hair Array of the Brown Lacewing: Repelling Water at Different Length Scales

Jolanta A Watson; Bronwen W Cribb; Hsuan-Ming Hu; Gregory S Watson

doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2010.12.3736

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A Dual Layer Hair Array of the Brown Lacewing: Repelling Water at Different Length Scales

Journal article

Peer reviewed

A Dual Layer Hair Array of the Brown Lacewing: Repelling Water at Different Length Scales

Jolanta A Watson, Bronwen W Cribb, Hsuan-Ming Hu and Gregory S Watson

Biophysical Journal, Vol.100(4), pp.1149-1155

2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2010.12.3736

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Abstract

Physical Sciences

Chemical Sciences

Biological Sciences

contamination

winged insects

wing surface area-body mass ratio

Additional weight due to contamination (water and/or contaminating particles) can potentially have a detrimental effect on the flight capabilities of large winged insects such as butterflies and dragonflies. Insects where the wing surface area-body mass ratio is very high will be even more susceptible to these effects. Water droplets tend to move spontaneously off the wing surface of these insects. In the case of the brown lacewing, the drops effectively encounter a dual bed of hair springs with a topographical structure which aids in the hairs resisting penetration into water bodies. In this article, we demonstrate experimentally how this protective defense system employed by the brown lacewing (Micromus tasmaniae) aids in resisting contamination from water and how the micro- and nanostructures found on these hairs are responsible for quickly shedding water from the wing which demonstrates an active liquid-repelling surface.

Details

Title: A Dual Layer Hair Array of the Brown Lacewing: Repelling Water at Different Length Scales
Authors: Jolanta A Watson (Author) - James Cook University
Bronwen W Cribb (Author) - University of Queensland
Hsuan-Ming Hu (Author) - James Cook University
Gregory S Watson (Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: Biophysical Journal, Vol.100(4), pp.1149-1155
Publisher: Cell Press
Date published: 2011
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2010.12.3736
ISSN: 0006-3495
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448624302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Biophysics

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