Leaves that walk and eggs that stick: comparative functional morphology and evolution of the adhesive system of leaf insect eggs (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae).

ABSTRACT: Phylliidae are herbivorous insects exhibiting impressive cryptic masquerade and are colloquially called "walking leaves". They imitate angiosperm leaves and their eggs often resemble plant seeds structurally and in some cases functionally. Despite overall morphological similarity of adult Phylliidae, their eggs reveal a significant diversity in overall shape and exochorionic surface features. Previous studies have shown that the eggs of most Phylliidae possess a specialised attachment mechanism with hierarchical exochorionic fan-like structures (pinnae), which are mantled by a film of an adhesive secretion (glue). The folded pinnae and glue respond to water contact, with the fibrous pinnae expanding and the glue being capable of reversible liquefaction. In general, the eggs of phylliids ap

SUBMITTER: Buscher TH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10170840 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature