Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Wing-locking mechanisms in aquatic Heteroptera.

Stanislav N Gorb1, P J Perez Goodwyn

  • 1Max-Planck Institute of Developmental Biology, 72076, Tübingen, Germany. s.gorb@mf.mpg.de

Journal of Morphology
|July 2, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Aquatic insects called Heteroptera use specialized wing-locking mechanisms (LM) to secure their wings at rest and enable flight. This study details the complex macro- and microstructures involved in these essential wing-locking systems.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Adhesion and Friction in Biological and Bioinspired Systems.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Advances in Biomimetics: Patents from Nature.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Shell damage and mandible mechanics in the ant Messor wasmanni.

Biointerphases·2026
Same author

Effects of ocean acidification on radular tooth material properties in Littorina littorea (Gastropoda, Mollusca).

Marine environmental research·2026
Same author

Tooth Shape Controls Stiffness and Food Collection Efficiency in Biomimetic Radular Teeth.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Cuticular Hydrocarbon Composition of Adhesive Secretions from Functionally Different Attachment Pads of the Stick Insect Medauroidea extradentata (Phasmatodea).

Journal of chemical ecology·2026

Area of Science:

  • Entomology
  • Morphology
  • Ultrastructure

Background:

  • Aquatic Heteroptera exhibit specialized wing structures for both resting and flight.
  • Understanding wing-locking mechanisms (LM) is crucial for insect biomechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a detailed morphological and ultrastructural investigation of wing-locking mechanisms in aquatic Heteroptera.
  • To elucidate the functional significance of macro- and microstructures in wing retention and flight.

Main Methods:

  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
  • Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
  • Detailed morphological analysis

Main Results:

  • Identified two primary types of resting wing-locking mechanisms: wing-to-wing and wing-to-body.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Described specific structures including brush-to-brush LM, clavus-clavus clamp, clavus-clavus locking ridge, hemelytra-mesepimeron locking, knob-and-socket mechanism, and clavus-scutellum groove.
  • Detailed hindwing locking via microtrichial fields on the wing-articulated pad and thoracic pad.
  • Revealed an additional LM connecting hemelytra and hindwing for functional diptery during flight.

    • Conclusions:

    • Wing-locking mechanisms in aquatic Heteroptera are integrated systems for wing retention at rest.
    • A distinct mechanism facilitates functional diptery (flight) by linking forewings and hindwings.