Depilation increases while hairiness decreases the risk of drowning: A hitherto unappreciated survival role of setae in woolly bear caterpillars of the moth Lemyra imparilis (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae)

Meyer-Rochow, Victor Benno

doi:10.14411/eje.2016.016

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The hairs may be involved in the perception of the motion of the surrounding medium, as previously reported for the cabbage moth caterpillar Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which can sense sound stimuli at low frequency and respond with a defensive reaction (Markl and Tautz, 1975). Finally, the hairs might prevent drowning of caterpillars, as was shown for L. imparilis (Meyer-Rochow, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Air-entrapping capacity in the hair coverage of Malacosoma castrensis (Lasiocampidae: Lepidoptera) caterpillar: a case study

Kovalev

Rebora

Salerno

et al. 2020

Journal of Experimental Biology

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The moth Malacosoma castrensis (Lasiocampidae) is commonly found along the Northern Germany coasts, the habitats of which are mainly represented by salt marshes subjected to sea level variations. Surprisingly, terrestrial caterpillars can withstand many hours of being flooded by seawater. The ability to withstand periods of submersion in a terrestrial insect raises the problem of respiration related to avoiding water percolation into the tracheal system. In the present study, we investigated under laboratory conditions the role of water-repellent cuticle structures in oxygen supply in caterpillars of M. castrensis submerged in water. For this purpose, air-layer stability tests using force measurements, and micromorphology of cuticle structures using SEM and fluorescence microscopy, were performed. A plastron appeared when a caterpillar is underwater. The stability, gas composition and internal pressure of the plastron were estimated. The plastron is stabilized by long and scarce hairs, which are much thicker than the corresponding hairs of aquatic insects. Thick and stiff hairs with sclerotized basal and middle regions protrude into the water through the plastron–water interface, while substantial regions of thin and flexible hairs are aligned along the plastron–water interface and their side walls can support pressure in the plastron even below atmospheric pressure. Additional anchoring points between hair's stalk and microtrichia near the hair base provide enhanced stiffness to the hair layer and prevent the hair layer from collapse and water entering between hairs. The advancing contact angle on hairs is more than 90 deg, which is close to the effective contact angle for the whole caterpillar.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Air-entrapping capacity in the hair coverage of Malacosoma castrensis (Lasiocampidae: Lepidoptera) caterpillar: a case study

Kovalev

Rebora

Salerno

et al. 2020

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…This relationship has been suggested to explain the behaviour of the semi-aquatic caterpillar species Bellura vulnifica , although its morphological traits were not quantified ( Welch, 1914 ). In addition, long body setae may assist in floating on the water surface in hairy caterpillars, such as those of Laelia coenosa and Lymantria dispar (cf., Meyer-Rochow, 2016 ). However, these features certainly evolved for reasons other than aquatic behaviour, because long bodies, prolegs, and body hairs have other important functions in their terrestrial habitats, e.g ., they may be involved in natural enemy defence, maintaining their perch, and still others ( Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Active behaviour of terrestrial caterpillars on the water surface

Hayashi¹,

Sugiura

2021

PeerJ

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Most butterfly and moth larvae (Lepidoptera) are terrestrial. When terrestrial caterpillars accidentally fall into water, they may drown or be preyed upon by aquatic predators before they can safely reach land. However, how terrestrial caterpillars escape aquatic environments and predators remains unclear. In July 2018, we observed a terrestrial caterpillar actively moving forward on the surface of a pond in Japan until it successfully reached the shore. To further investigate this behaviour in terrestrial caterpillars, we experimentally placed larvae of 13 moth species (four families) on a water surface under laboratory and field conditions. All caterpillars floated. Larvae of seven species moved forward on the water surface, whereas those of six species did not. A total of two types of behaviour were observed; in Dinumma deponens, Hypopyra vespertilio, Spirama retorta, Laelia coenosa, Lymantria dispar (all Erebidae), and Naranga aenescens (Noctuidae), larvae swung their bodies rapidly from side to side to propel themselves along the water surface (i.e., undulatory behaviour); in contrast, larvae of Acosmetia biguttula (Noctuidae) rapidly moved the abdomen (posterior segments) up and down for propulsion along the water surface (i.e., flick behaviour). Although thoracic legs were not used for undulatory and flick behaviour, rapid movements of the abdomen were used to propel caterpillars on the water surface. We also observed that undulatory and flick behaviour on the water surface aided caterpillars in escaping aquatic predators under field conditions. In addition, we investigated the relationship between body size and undulatory behaviour on the water surface in the erebid S. retorta under laboratory conditions. The frequency and speed of forward movement on the water surface increased with body length. Together, these results show that the rapid movement of elongated bodies results in forward propulsion on the water surface, allowing some terrestrial caterpillars to avoid drowning or aquatic predators. We further suggested potential factors related to morphology, host plant habitat, and defensive behaviour that may have led to the acquisition of aquatic behaviour in terrestrial caterpillars.

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“…Although hydrophobic macroscale structures exist, they have not been reported as the sole method of hydrophobicity in insects, but instead are accompanied by nanoscale or microscale architecture [ 21 , 35 , 41 , 48 , 51 , 52 , 56 , 81 , 100 , 107 ]. Moreover, they are consistently arranged within beds of nano- or microstructures or they themselves are hierarchical structures with nano or micro topography.…”

Section: Hydrophobic Cuticular Structures Found In Insectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Staying Dry and Clean: An Insect’s Guide to Hydrophobicity

Bello

Alleyne

2022

Insects

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Insects demonstrate a wide diversity of microscopic cuticular and extra-cuticular features. These features often produce multifunctional surfaces which are greatly desired in engineering and material science fields. Among these functionalities, hydrophobicity is of particular interest and has gained recent attention as it often results in other properties such as self-cleaning, anti-biofouling, and anti-corrosion. We reviewed the historical and contemporary scientific literature to create an extensive review of known hydrophobic and superhydrophobic structures in insects. We found that numerous insects across at least fourteen taxonomic orders possess a wide variety of cuticular surface chemicals and physical structures that promote hydrophobicity. We discuss a few bioinspired design examples of how insects have already inspired new technologies. Moving forward, the use of a bioinspiration framework will help us gain insight into how and why these systems work in nature. Undoubtedly, our fundamental understanding of the physical and chemical principles that result in functional insect surfaces will continue to facilitate the design and production of novel materials.

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Depilation increases while hairiness decreases the risk of drowning: A hitherto unappreciated survival role of setae in woolly bear caterpillars of the moth Lemyra imparilis (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae)

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

Air-entrapping capacity in the hair coverage of Malacosoma castrensis (Lasiocampidae: Lepidoptera) caterpillar: a case study

Air-entrapping capacity in the hair coverage of Malacosoma castrensis (Lasiocampidae: Lepidoptera) caterpillar: a case study

Active behaviour of terrestrial caterpillars on the water surface

Staying Dry and Clean: An Insect’s Guide to Hydrophobicity

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