Hymenoptera and biomimetic surfaces: insights and innovations

• Vinicius Marques Lopez,
• Carlo Polidori and
• Rhainer Guillermo Ferreira

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1333–1352, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.107

• development of self-cleaning surfaces and materials resistant to biofouling in marine environments. Legs Adhesive pads: The adhesive organ in Hymenoptera consists of a flexible cuticle pad (i.e., arolium) situated between the pretarsal claws, capable of unfolding and retracting with each step [125] (Figure 6A

• ). The arolium may be structured in lines perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pretarsus [126]. When extended (actively or passively) [127], the arolium comes into contact with the surface, thereby enhancing its adhesive contact area. Hymenopteran species serve as valuable sources of inspiration

The effect of age on the attachment ability of stick insects (Phasmatodea)

• Marie Grote,
• Stanislav N. Gorb and
• Thies H. Büscher

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 867–883, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.72

• attachment pads is assumed to result from adaptations towards these plant surfaces [23][29]. Phasmids possess smooth adhesive pads on their tarsomeres, the euplantulae, and one larger pad at the pretarsus, the arolium [30]. Investigations of the specific functionality of both euplantulae and the arolium by

• Labonte and Federle [31] have shown that the arolium and euplantulae each perform different tasks. The arolium is used while climbing upside down, whereas the euplantulae generate friction and are used in upright walking. Phasmid euplantulae are covered with different surface microstructures that are

• Heteropterygidae can reach impressive life expectancies [41][44], with anecdotal reports extending over five years. The change in attachment performance was quantified through attachment force measurements. Because of the different properties of arolium and euplantulae [31][33], the attachment forces of whole

Comparative analysis of the ultrastructure and adhesive secretion pathways of different smooth attachment pads of the stick insect Medauroidea extradentata (Phasmatodea)

• Julian Thomas,
• Stanislav N. Gorb and
• Thies H. Büscher

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 612–630, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.52

• long intrigued scientists, prompting extensive research on the functional morphology of attachment pads. In stick insects, attachment and locomotion are facilitated by two distinct types of smooth cuticular attachment pads: the primary adhesion force-generating arolium and the friction force-generating

• the material composition of attachment pads and the distribution process of the adhesive secretion can potentially aid in the development of more effective artificial attachment systems. Keywords: adhesion; arolium; biomechanics; euplantulae; friction; functional morphology; tarsal secretion

• of the two pad types [47][52][53]. In this study, we compare the ultrastructure and material composition of the two smooth tarsal (euplantulae) and pretarsal (arolium) attachment pads of the stick insect Medauroidea extradentata (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907), focusing on their functional differences

Physical constraints lead to parallel evolution of micro- and nanostructures of animal adhesive pads: a review

• Thies H. Büscher and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 725–743, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.57

• (Figure 4) consists of five tarsomeres. It is equipped with two claws and an arolium on the pretarsus, as well as euplantulae on the proximal four to five tarsomeres [1][2][109][161][162][225]. Except for the euplantulae of some Aschiphasmatini (Aschiphasmatinae) that are covered with adhesive setae [109

• ) Lateral view. Ta1–5, tarsomeres; Eu1–5, euplantulae; Cl, claw; Ar, arolium. Scale bars: 1 mm. Diversity of stick insect ecomorphs and their respective euplantular AMS. (A) Eurycantha calcarata, female, smooth. (B) Dajaca monilicornis, male, hexagonal. (C) Anarchodes annulipes, female, flat pads. (D