The ability of Coccinellidae
and other insects to cling to diverse surfaces
Coccinellidae (ladybugs or ladybirds if you are in the U.K.)
have the ability to cling to a wide variety of surfaces just like spiderman! Understanding
the microstructures of these insects has the potential for new product
development for human use; such as Gecko®-Tape (developed based on the setae
found on the toes of a gecko).
Researchers at Kiel University decided to find out. Using
special microscopy techniques, they saw that each leg of the ladybug is
equipped with fine adhesive hair. Different parts of the leg have varying
material compositions and properties. The base is hard and stiff, while the
tips are very soft and flexible, allowing the leg to adjust to different surfaces
that results in better adhesion.
The protein resilin in the tips is responsible for the
elasticity. Researchers stated that this protein is also present in wings and
leg joints of insects. This ladybug hair composition is very complex and there
is no current material available to reproduce it (SD, 2013).
To read the full
study see the reference below.
Journal Reference:
Henrik Peisker, Jan Michels, Stanislav,. N. Gorb. Evidence for
a material gradient in the adhesive tarsal setae of the ladybird beetle
Coccinella septempunctata. Nature Communications, 2013; 4: 1661
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