Earwig fan designing: Biomimetic and evolutionary biology applications

Area of Science:

• Biomimetics and Bioengineering
• Evolutionary Biology
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Compact folding technologies are crucial for diverse engineering applications.
• Earwigs (Dermaptera) exhibit highly efficient, compact hind wing folding, unparalleled in insects.
• Previous studies focused on earwig wing structure, materials, and mechanics, but lacked geometric folding rules.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish geometrical rules for reproducing complex earwig wing crease patterns.
• To design earwig-inspired artificial deployable structures using origami principles.
• To reconstruct the wing-folding mechanism of extinct earwig relatives and understand evolutionary patterns.

Main Methods:

• Utilized X-ray microcomputed tomography imaging to analyze earwig wing structures.
• Applied origami modeling principles to determine flat foldability and geometric rules.
• Developed dedicated design software for creating customized earwig-inspired fans.

Main Results:

• A novel method for designing earwig-inspired fans based on geometric folding rules was established.
• The design software allows customization of deployable structures for various applications (architecture, aerospace, etc.).
• The method successfully reconstructed the folding mechanism of *Protelytron permianum*, an ancient earwig relative.

Conclusions:

• The geometric design approach provides guidelines for biomimetic research leveraging earwig wing properties.
• This method reveals morphofunctional evolutionary constraints and predicts biological disparity in deep time.
• Findings offer insights into the evolution of insect wing folding mechanisms.