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Biological Attachment System of the Pretarsal Pulvilli in the Shield Bug Acanthosoma spinicolle (Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae)
Author(s) -
Yang SungChan,
Moon MyungJin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
entomological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1748-5967
pISSN - 1738-2297
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5967.2011.00410.x
Subject(s) - appendage , biology , heteroptera , anatomy , claw , adhesion , shield , materials science , composite material , paleontology , botany , ecology
Insects have the distinctive attachment apparatus in their appendages to move on smooth surface using alternatively with sticky fluids or dry adhesion devices. Here, we demonstrated the biological attachment system of the shield bug A. spinicolle to reveal its fine structural characteristics with aid of scanning electron microscope. Each appendage has a pair of tarsal claws and a pair of pretarsal pads. The claws are quite sharp and they are adapted for attaching to rough substrates. On the other hand, they attach to smooth surface by means of pretarsal pulvilli which resemble the fly's wet attachment system. The ventral surface bears numerous lamellae and rounded segments with distal extensions. By the precise examination using paraffine embedded tissue preparation technique, it has been revealed that the wet adhesion device of this bug's appendage can be accomplished with aid of additional adhesive fluid from the pad secretion.