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

Watson, Jolanta A., Cribb, Bronwen W., Hu, Hsuan-Ming and Watson, Gregory S. (2011) A Dual Layer Hair Array of the Brown Lacewing: Repelling Water at Different Length Scales. Biophysical Journal, 100 4: 1149-1155.


Author Watson, Jolanta A.
Cribb, Bronwen W.
Hu, Hsuan-Ming
Watson, Gregory S.
Title A Dual Layer Hair Array of the Brown Lacewing: Repelling Water at Different Length Scales
Journal name Biophysical Journal  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A*)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2011-02-16
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.bpj.2010.12.3736
Volume number 100
Issue number 4
ISSN 0006-3495
0523-6800
1542-0086
Start page 1149
End page 1155
Total pages 7
Place of publication St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Publisher Cell Press
Collection year 2012
Language eng
Formatted abstract 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.
Keyword Force microscopy
Surfaces
Wings
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ

 
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Created: Mon, 05 Sep 2011, 16:32:56 EST by Gail Walter on behalf of Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis