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Visualization of Epicuticular Grease on the Covering Wings in the Colorado Potato Beetle: A Scanning Probe Approach

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Applied Scanning Probe Methods XIII

Part of the book series: NanoScience and Technology ((NANO))

Abstract

Insects and spiders are supposed to release a greasy layer on their body surface, which may be involved in chemical and physical interactions between the organisms and their environment. In mating events, males frequently adhere to the female’s dorsal body site by means of their feet, whereas grease should play an important role at the feet-attachment substrate interface. The properties and thickness of epicuticular grease have been diversely reported, but no definite visualizations and measurements have been previously carried out. Using the Colorado Potato beetle as a model species, we visualized the epicuticular grease on covering wings and characterized its adhesive properties. In this study, three different AFM modes (contact, tapping, and phase contrast) were applied. Obtained data were compared with the results of the Cryo-SEM. The grease layer thickness is about 8 nm on elevated sites of the epicuticle. A strong adhesion on the beetle epicuticle due to the presence of the grease layer was measured. The influence of a semi-fluid greasy layer on male adhesion to female’s wings during copulation is discussed.

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Authors
  1. D. Voigt
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  2. H. Peisker
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  3. S. Gorb
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- & Nanotechnology & Biomimetics (NLB2), Ohio State University, 201 W. 19th Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1142, USA

    Bharat Bhushan

  2. Universität Münster FB 16 Physikalisches Institut, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149 Münster, Germany

    Harald Fuchs

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Voigt, D., Peisker, H., Gorb, S. (2009). Visualization of Epicuticular Grease on the Covering Wings in the Colorado Potato Beetle: A Scanning Probe Approach. In: Bhushan, B., Fuchs, H. (eds) Applied Scanning Probe Methods XIII. NanoScience and Technology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-85049-6_1

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