Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2025

Detached Leaf Assays to Simplify Gene Expression Studies in Potato During Infestation by Chewing Insect Manduca sexta
Published on: May 15, 2019
Wax Protrusions on Anti-Adhesive Plant Surfaces and Their Interactions with Insect Adhesive Pads: A Mechanical
Feodor M Borodich1, Zaida Gao1, Elena V Gorb2
1College of Aerospace Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
Abstract:
Insect attachment devices enhance adhesion to complex-geometry substrates by increasing the real contact area. In nature, insects mainly interact with plant surfaces that are often covered by 3D wax structures. Here, we describe, discuss, and give a mechanical interpretation of plant waxes and the possible fracture mechanisms of these wax structures during their interactions with the adhesive pads of insects. It is argued that these plant surface microstructures significantly influence insect adhesion through reducing the contact area and contaminating the insect pads.
Related Concept Videos
Cell Adhesion in Plants
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose,...
Adhesion
Capillary action is a result of water’s adhesive tendencies. When a narrow...
Responses to Gravity and Touch
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Types of Membrane Protrusions
The microvilli, an example of stable protrusions, are finger-like projections...
Introduction to Plant Diversity

