Porous substrate affects a subsequent attachment ability of the beetle Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae).

ABSTRACT: According to literature data, porous substrates can cause a reduction of insect attachment ability. We carried out traction experiments with adult ladybird beetles Harmonia axyridis on the smooth solid glass sample and rough porous Al₂O₃ membrane to prove the primary effect of absorption of the insect pad secretion by porous media, rather than surface roughness, on the attachment force on the porous sample. With each insect individual, a set of five experiments was conducted: (1) on glass; (2) on the porous membrane; (3-5) on glass immediately after the test on the porous surface, then after 30 min and 1 h of recovery time. On the porous substrate, the forces, being similar in females and males, were greatly reduced compared to those measured on glass. A significant d

SUBMITTER: Gorb EV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6364653 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature