Particle Adhesion Measurements on Insect Wing Membranes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Gregory S Watson; Bronwen W Cribb; Jolanta A Watson

doi:10.5402/2012/947872

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Particle Adhesion Measurements on Insect Wing Membranes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

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Particle Adhesion Measurements on Insect Wing Membranes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Gregory S Watson, Bronwen W Cribb and Jolanta A Watson

ISRN Biophysics, 947872

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/947872

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Abstract

Nanotechnology

Condensed Matter Physics

self-cleaning membrane

insect wings

Many insects have evolved refined self-cleaning membrane structuring to contend with an environment that presents a range of potential contaminates. Contamination has the potential to reduce or interfere with the primary functioning of the wing membrane or affect other wing cuticle properties, (for example, antireflection). Insects will typically encounter a variety of air-borne contaminants which include plant matter and soil fragments. Insects with relatively long or large wings may be especially susceptible to fouling due to the high-wing surface area and reduced ability to clean their extremities. In this study we have investigated the adhesion of particles (pollens and hydrophilic silica spheres) to wing membranes of the super/hydrophobic cicada (Thopha sessiliba), butterfly (Eurema hecabe), and the hydrophilic wing of flower wasp (Scolia soror). The adhesional forces with both hydrophobic insects was significantly lower for all particle types than the hydrophilic insect species studied.

Details

Title: Particle Adhesion Measurements on Insect Wing Membranes Using Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Gregory S Watson (Author) - James Cook University
Bronwen W Cribb (Author) - University of Queensland
Jolanta A Watson (Author) - James Cook University
Publication details: ISRN Biophysics, 947872; 5
Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.5402/2012/947872
ISSN: 2090-7354
Copyright note: Copyright © 2012 Gregory S. Watson et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449570002621
Output Type: Journal article

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