Cell membrane buckling governs early-stage ridge formation in butterfly wing scales.

ABSTRACT: During the development of butterfly wing scales, ordered periodic cell membrane modulations occur at the upper surface of scale-forming cells, priming the formation of ridges. Ridges are critical for wing scale functionality, including structural color, wetting characteristics, and thermal performance. Here, we combine a morphoelastic model based on Föppl-von-Kármán plate theory with experimental observations to shed light on the biomechanical processes governing early-stage ridge formation in Painted Lady butterflies. By comparing the model predictions with time-resolved phase imaging data from live butterflies, we provide evidence that the onset of ridge formation is governed by a mechanical buckling transition induced by the interplay of membrane growth and confinement through associati

SUBMITTER: Totz JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11905118 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature