Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Macro-/micro-structures of elytra, mechanical properties of the biomaterial and the coupling strength between elytra in beetles

  • Published:
Journal of Bionic Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Macro-/Micro-structures and mechanical properties of the elytra of beetles were studied. The Scan Electron Microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy were employed to observe the macro-/micro-structure of the surface texture and cross-section structure of elytra. Nano-indentation was carried out to measure the elastic modulus and the hardness of elytra. Tensile strengths of elytra in lateral and longitudinal directions were measured by a multifunctional testing machine. The coupling force between elytra was also measured and the clocking mechanism was studied. SEM images show the similar geometric structure in transverse and longitudinal sections and multilayer — dense epicuticle and exocuticle, followed by bridge piers with a helix structured fibers, which connect the exocuticle to the endodermis, and form an ellipse empty to reduce the structure weight. The elastic modulus and the hardness are topologically distributed and the mechanical parameters of fresh elytra are much higher than those of dried elytra. The tensile strength of the fresh biological material is twice that of dried samples, but there is no clear difference between the data in lateral and longitudinal directions. Coupling forces measured are 6.5 to 160 times of beetles’ bodyweight, which makes the scutellum very important in controlling the open and close of the elytra. The results provide a biological template to inspire lightweight structure design for aerospace engineering.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wang G L, Ren L Q, Chen B C. The detach-shape character of the non-smooth geometrical units’ distributing on the integumentary surface of the Coprisochus Motschulsky. Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery, 1997, 28, 5–9. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Li J Q, Ren L Q, Liu C Z, Chen B C. A study on the bionic plow moldboard of reducing soil adhesion and plowing resistance. Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery, 1996, 27, 1–14. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cheng H, Sun J R, Li J Q, Ren L Q. Structure of the integumentary surface of the dung beetle Copris ochus Motschulsky and its relation to non-adherence of substrate particles. Acta Entomologica Sinica, 2002, 45, 175–181. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ren L Q, Li J Q, Chen B C. Research on the bionics and anti-resistance of the non-smooth surface. Chinese Science Bulletin, 1995, 40, 1812–1814. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chen J X, Ni Q Q, Li Q, Xu Y L. Biomimetic light weight composite structure with honeycomb-trabecula. Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica, 2005, 22, 103–108. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chen J X, Ni Q Q. Three dimensional composite structures in the fore-wing of beetles. Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica, 2003, 20, 61–66. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Chen B, Peng X H, Fan J H. Fiber-reinforce characteristics of chafer cuticle and research on structure of branched fiber. Chinese Journal of Materials Research, 2003, 17, 630–636. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gorb S N, Goodwyn P J. Wing-locking mechanisms in aquatic heteroptera. Journal of Morphology, 2003, 257, 127–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Goodwyn P J, Gorb S N. Attachment forces of the hemelytra-locking mechanisms in aquatic bugs (Hete-roptera: Belostomatidae). Journal of Insect Physiology, 2003, 49, 753–764.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Gorb S N, Beutel R G, Gorb E V, Jiao Y K, Kastner V, Niederegger S, Popov V L, Scherge M, Schwarz U, Vötsch W. Structural design and biomechanics of friction-based releasable attachment devices in insects. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 2002, 42, 1127–1139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Breed R S, Ball E F. The interlocking mechanisms which are found in connection with the elytra of Coleoptera. Biological Bulletin, 1908, 15, 289–303.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Holleway B A. Elytra surface structures as indicators of relationships in stag beetles, with reference to the New Zealand species (Coleoptera, Lucanidae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 1997, 24, 51–63.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Frantsevich L, Dai Z D, Wang W Y, Zhang Y F. Geometry of elytra opening and closing in some beetles (Coleoptera, Polyphaga). The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2005, 208, 3145–3158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Weis-Fogh T, Jensen M. Biology and physics of locust flight. I: Basic principles in insect flight. A critical review. Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society London B, 1956, 239, 415–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Weis-Fogh T. Biology and physics of locust flight. II: Flight performance of the desert locust. Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society London B, 1956, 239, 459–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Jensen M. Biology and physics of locust flight. III: The aerodynamics of locust flight. Philosophical Transactions of Royal Society London B, 1956, 239, 511–552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Smith C W, Herbert R, Wootton R J, Evans K E. The hind wing of the desert locust. II: Mechanical properties and functioning of the membrane. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2000, 203, 2933–2943.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Herbert R, Yong P G, Smith C W, Wootton R J, Evans K E, Young P G. The hind wing of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål) III: A finite element analysis of a deployable structure. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2000, 203, 2945–2955.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Yang Z X, Dai Z D. Progress in bionic research on biomaterials of beetles. Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica, 2008, 25, 1–9. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Yang Z X, Dai Z D, Guo C. Morphology and mechanical properties of Cybister elytra. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2009, 54, 1767–1772. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Dai Z D, Zhang Y F, Liang X C, Sun J R. Coupling between elytra of some beetles: Mechanism, forces and effects of surface texture. Science in China Series C: Life Sciences, 2008, 51, 894–901. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Beament J W L. Wetting properties of insect cuticle. Nature, 1960, 186, 408–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Parker A R, Lawrence C R. Water capture by a desert beetle. Nature, 2001, 414, 33–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Sun J R, Cheng H, Cong Q, Li J Q, Ren L Q, Chen B C. Bionic study on the dung beetle Copris ochus Motschulsky for reduction of soil adherence. Acta Biophysica Sinica, 2001, 17, 785–793. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Yang Z X, Wang W Y, Yu Q Q, Dai Z D. Measurements on mechanical parameters and studies on microstructure of elytra in beetles. Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica, 2007, 24, 92–98. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kurachi M, Takaku Y, Komiya Y, Hariyama T. The origin of extensive colour polymorphism in Plateumaris sericea. Naturwissenschaften, 2002, 89, 295–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Wang F Z, Li R H, Fei Y. Study of light Mg-Li matrix composite. Journal of Materials Science & Engineering, 2003, 21, 134–137. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Chen P Y, Lin A Y M, McKittrick J, Meyers M A. Structure and mechanical properties of crab exoskeletons. Acta Biomaterialia, 2008, 4, 587–596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Sachs C, Fabritius H, Raabe D. Experimental investigation of the elastic-plastic deformation of mineralized lobster cuticle by digital image correlation. Journal of Structural Biology, 2006, 155, 409–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Vincent J F V, Wegst U G K. Design and mechanical properties of insect cuticle. Arthropod Structure & Development, 2004, 33, 187–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Bio-Inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China

    Zhendong Dai & Zhixiang Yang

Authors
  1. Zhendong Dai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhixiang Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhendong Dai.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dai, Z., Yang, Z. Macro-/micro-structures of elytra, mechanical properties of the biomaterial and the coupling strength between elytra in beetles. J Bionic Eng 7, 6–12 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-6529(09)60187-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-6529(09)60187-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation