The basic question our team is asking is why some beetles have diffraction grating on their elytra (and some other parts of their bodies). Possible reasons might be signaling through iridescence, hydrophobicity, or drag reduction.
Collaborators
- Dr. Tommy McElrath – Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL
- Dr. Alison Dunn – MechSE – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Dr. Ainsley Seago – Department of Primary Industries – NSW Government – Australia
- Dr. Viktor Gruev – Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Publications:
- Diffraction gratings alter the surface friction of iridescent beetle cuticle against fibrous surfaces. Lihua Wei, Kristen E. Reiter, Thomas McElrath, Marianne Alleyne, Alison C. Dunn*. Biotribology. 20. 100108 Publication Date October 21, 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.biotri.2019.100108