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Multilayer stag beetle elytra perform better under external loading via non-symmetric bending properties.

ABSTRACT: Insect cuticle has drawn a lot of attention from engineers because of its multifunctional role in the life of insects. Some of these cuticles have an optimal combination of lightweight and good mechanical properties, and have inspired the design of composites with novel microstructures. Among these, beetle elytra have been explored extensively for their multilayered structure, multifunctional roles and mechanical properties. In this study, we investigated the bending properties of elytra by simulating their natural loading condition and comparing it with other loading configurations. Further, we examined the properties of their constitutive bulk layers to understand the contribution of each one to the overall mechanical behaviour. Our results showed that elytra are graded, multilayered composite structures that perform better in natural loading direction in terms of both flexural modulus and strength which is likely an adaptation to withstand loads encountered in the habitat. Experiments are supported by analytical calculations and finite element method modelling, which highlighted the additional role of the relatively stiff external exocuticle and of the flexible thin bottom layer in enhancing flexural mechanical properties. Such studies contribute to the knowledge of the mechanical behaviour of this natural composite material and to the development of novel bioinspired multifunctional composites and for optimized armours.

SUBMITTER: Kundanati L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6073640 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Multilayer stag beetle elytra perform better under external loading via non-symmetric bending properties.

Kundanati Lakshminath L Signetti Stefano S Gupta Himadri S HS Menegon Michele M Pugno Nicola M NM

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface 20180701 144

Insect cuticle has drawn a lot of attention from engineers because of its multifunctional role in the life of insects. Some of these cuticles have an optimal combination of lightweight and good mechanical properties, and have inspired the design of composites with novel microstructures. Among these, beetle elytra have been explored extensively for their multilayered structure, multifunctional roles and mechanical properties. In this study, we investigated the bending properties of elytra by simu ...[more]

PMID: 30045895

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Project description:BackgroundThe exoskeleton of an insect could be an important factor in the success of its evolutionary process. This reaches its maximum expression in beetles, which constitute the most diversified animal taxon. The involvement in the management of environmental radiation could be one of the most important functions of the exoskeleton due to the passive contributions to the thermoregulation of body temperature. We study whether the elytra of two sympatric and closely related beetle species respond differentially to the radiation of distinct wavelengths in agreement with their ecological preferences.MethodsOnthophagus coenobita (Herbst) and O. medius (Kugelaan) occupy different habitats and environmental conditions (shaded vs. unshaded from solar radiation). The potential adaptive variations to thermoregulation under these different ecological conditions were studied using the responses of their exoskeletons to radiation of different wavelengths (ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared). For these two species, the amounts of the three wavelengths that were reflected, transmitted or absorbed by the exoskeleton were measured using of a spectrophotometer. In addition, the darkness and thickness of the elytra were examined to determine whether these two features influence the management of radiation by the exoskeleton.ResultsBoth species differ in the management of visible and near-infrared radiation. In agreement with habitat preferences, the species inhabiting shaded conditions would allow infrared and visible radiation to penetrate the elytra more easily to heat internal body parts, while the elytra of the heliophilous species would have increased absorbance of these same types of radiation. An increase in body size (and therefore in elytron thickness) and the quantity of dark spots may serve as barriers against exogenous heat gain. However, the maintenance of between-species differences independent of the effects of these two morphological features led us to suspect that an unconsidered elytron characteristic may also be affecting these differences.DiscussionThe results of the involvement of the exoskeleton thickness and spots in the thermoregulation of insects opens new research lines to obtain a better understanding of the function of the exoskeleton as a passive thermoregulation mechanism in Coleoptera.

Dataset Information

Multilayer stag beetle elytra perform better under external loading via non-symmetric bending properties.

Publications

Multilayer stag beetle elytra perform better under external loading via non-symmetric bending properties.

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