Polymerization‐Induced Wrinkled Surfaces with Controlled Topography as Slippery Surfaces for Colorado Potato Beetles

Abstract

Controlling the interaction of insect populations with their host plants has recently received renewed attention in the light of pest control. One way to modify the interaction of insects with their host plants in a non‐chemical way is through influence of their de/attachment. Insect detachment has been observed for textured biological and structured artificial surfaces with morphologies ranging from nano‐ to micrometers (0.3–1.5 µm). Here, the formation of design surfaces is investigated through plasma‐induced polymerization of acrylates. This produces pronounced surface wrinkles that are tunable by the manufacturing process. For certain parameters, the wrinkles resemble those of the adaxial side of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) leaves, a natural example of particularly low friction. Traction force measurements on the bio‐inspired surfaces show significantly impacted insect attachment compared to flat surfaces of silica and polymeric materials, opening a pathway to the controlled manufacture of bio‐inspired slippery surfaces for insects that could potentially find use in advanced materials such as wall coatings.

Spatio-temporal development of cuticular ridges on leaf surfaces ofHevea brasiliensisalters insect attachment

“…For example, yet long way to go, studies in genetic modifications [ 59 ] in crops in order to induce insect-repelling cuticular structures could help in managing pests in an eco-friendly manner and provide new directions in pest control research. Artificial insect repellent surfaces and coatings inspired by plant cuticular structures may also find applications in agriculture and in daily life [ 25 ].

Figure 6.

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Spatiotemporal development of cuticular ridges on leaf surfaces ofHevea brasiliensisalters insect attachment

“…Our data establish that the dimensions of the cuticular ridges on the adult leaves of H. brasiliensis also fall within this critical roughness regime, thus explaining the reduction of insect adhesion forces. This knowledge is important from a biomimetic perspective, since the small changes in the structural parameters of plant surfaces reveal how insects behave on these surfaces and provide a means for developing artificial insect repellent surfaces [25]. Such knowledge also has great potential in agriculture, as new genetic [59] transition stage S3 in which the ridge morphology is much more similar to that of adult stages (Fig.…”

“…Artificial periodic and randomly oriented ridges have been demonstrated to reduce insect attachment, with the lowest walking forces occurring at ridge dimensions in the critical roughness range of 0.3 to 3 µm [24,25]. Indeed, rough surfaces with various morphologies and surface chemistry [20][21][22][26][27][28][29][30] show reduced insect adhesion forces in this roughness range.…”

Functional morphology of plants – a key to biomimetic applications

“…building from the small to the large, as in nature, allows us literally to "grow" technical components. et al, 2017) and sticky or non-friction surfaces (Bergmann et al, 2020). The moving-by-growing abilities of climbing plants have become models for the development of low-mass and low-volume robots capable of anchoring themselves, negotiating voids and more generally climbing (Fiorello et al, 2020;Mazzolai et al, 2020).…”

“…Moreover, scientists are currently studying the development, structure and properties of multifunctional complex plant surface structures at a fundamental level and are creating functional polymeric materials and surfaces based on the functional principles of plants. Cuticles are concept generators for the regulation of water permeability (Mulama et al ., 2019), structural colours (Moyroud et al ., 2017) and sticky or nonfriction surfaces (Bergmann et al ., 2020). The moving‐by‐growing abilities of climbing plants have become models for the development of low‐mass and low‐volume robots capable of anchoring themselves, negotiating voids and more generally climbing (Fiorello et al ., 2020; Mazzolai et al ., 2020).…”