Non-wetting wings and legs of the cranefly aided by fine structures of the cuticle

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

doi:10.1242/jeb.051128

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Non-wetting wings and legs of the cranefly aided by fine structures of the cuticle

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Non-wetting wings and legs of the cranefly aided by fine structures of the cuticle

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

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.214(6), pp.915-920

2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.051128

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Abstract

Biological Sciences

Medical and Health Sciences

wing

leg

insect

anti-wetting

atomic force microscopy

hair

water

adhesion

Non-wetting surfaces are imperative to the survival of terrestrial and semi-aquatic insects as they afford resistance to wetting by rain and other liquid surfaces that insects may encounter. Thus, there is an evolutionary pay-off for these insects to adopt hydrophobic technologies, especially on contacting surfaces such as legs and wings. The cranefly is a weak flier, with many species typically found in wet/moist environments where they lay eggs. Water droplets placed on this insect's wings will spontaneously roll off the surface. In addition, the insect can stand on water bodies without its legs penetrating the water surface. The legs and wings of this insect possess thousands of tiny hairs with intricate surface topographies comprising a series of ridges running longitudinally along the long axis of the hair fibre. Here we demonstrate that this fine hair structure enhances the ability of the hairs to resist penetration into water bodies.

Details

Title: Non-wetting wings and legs of the cranefly aided by fine structures of the cuticle
Authors: Hsuan-Ming Hu (Author) - James Cook University
Gregory S Watson (Author) - James Cook University
Bronwen W Cribb (Author) - University of Queensland
Jolanta A Watson (Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol.214(6), pp.915-920
Publisher: Company of Biologists Ltd.
Date published: 2011
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.051128
ISSN: 0022-0949; 0022-0949
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449342002621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Biology; Zoology

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