| The influence of surface energy on the self-cleaning of insect adhesive devices. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 22189772 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The ability of insects to adhere to surfaces is facilitated by the use of adhesive organs found on the terminal leg segments. These adhesive pads are inherently 'tacky' and are expected to be subject to contamination by particulates, leading to loss of function. Here, we investigated the self-cleaning of ants and beetles by comparing the abilities of both hairy and smooth pad forms to self-clean on both high and low energy surfaces after being fouled with microspheres of two sizes and surface energies. We focused on the time taken to regain adhesive potential in unrestrained Hymenopterans (Polyrhachis dives and Myrmica scabrinodis) and Coccinellids (Harmonia axyridis and Adalia bipunctata) fouled with microspheres. We found that the reattainment of adhesion is influenced by particle type and size in Hymenopterans, with an interaction between the surface energy of the contaminating particle and substrate. In Coccinellids, reattainment of adhesion was only influenced by particle size and substrate properties. The adhesive organs of Coccinellids appear to possess superior self-cleaning abilities compared with those of Hymenopterans, although Hymenopterans exhibit better adhesion to both surface types. |
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Authors:
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M J Orchard; M Kohonen; S Humphries |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The Journal of experimental biology Volume: 215 ISSN: 1477-9145 ISO Abbreviation: J. Exp. Biol. Publication Date: 2012 Jan |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-12-22 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0243705 Medline TA: J Exp Biol Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 279-86 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU6 7RX, UK. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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