Surface roughness rather than surface chemistry essentially affects insect adhesion.
The attachment ability of ladybird beetlesCoccinella septempunctatawas systematically investigated on eight types of surface, each with different chemical and topographical properties. The results of traction force tests clearly demonstrated that chemical surface properties, such as static/dynamic de-wettability of water and oil caused by specific chemical compositions, had no significant effect on the attachment of the beetles. Surface roughness was found to be the dominant factor, strongly affecting the attachment ability of the beetles.
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2266-98, Anagahora, Shimoshidami, Moriyama, Nagoya 463-8560, Japan.
Matt W
MW
England
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2266-98, Anagahora, Shimoshidami, Moriyama, Nagoya 463-8560, Japan.
Tomoya
T
Sato
Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute, 4-41, Rokuban, Atsuta, Nagoya 456-0058, Japan.
Makoto
M
Yagihashi
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2266-98, Anagahora, Shimoshidami, Moriyama, Nagoya 463-8560, Japan.
Atsushi
A
Hozumi
Zoological Institute: Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, D - 24118 Kiel, Germany.
Stanislav N
SN
Gorb
Zoological Institute: Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, D - 24118 Kiel, Germany.
Elena V
EV
Gorb
insect attachment; superhydrophilicity; superhydrophobicity; superoleophobicity; surface structures