Investigation of hindwing folding in ladybird beetles by artificial elytron transplantation and microcomputed tomography.

ABSTRACT: Ladybird beetles are high-mobility insects and explore broad areas by switching between walking and flying. Their excellent wing transformation systems enabling this lifestyle are expected to provide large potential for engineering applications. However, the mechanism behind the folding of their hindwings remains unclear. The reason is that ladybird beetles close the elytra ahead of wing folding, preventing the observation of detailed processes occurring under the elytra. In the present study, artificial transparent elytra were transplanted on living ladybird beetles, thereby enabling us to observe the detailed wing-folding processes. The result revealed that in addition to the abdominal movements mentioned in previous studies, the edge and ventral surface of the elytra, as well as charact

SUBMITTER: Saito K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5465895 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature