Functional Morphology and Biomimetics: Learning from Insects

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2025 | Viewed by 1881

Special Issue Editors

Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Interests: functional morphology; insect

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Guest Editor
College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Binshui West Road 393, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300387, China
Interests: micro/nano structure; chemistry; wettability; adhesion; optics; insect cuticle; bionics
School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: biophysics; biomechanics; bio-inspired systems
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insects living in different environments have evolved a broad diversity of functional structures with unique properties and become a dominant group. As one of the richest biomimetic resources, their structure, material, function, and locomotion have been intensively studied and applied in various engineering areas. However, there are still many aspects of insects’ functional morphology that are worth exploring, and more biomimetic activities need to be undertaken. We are pleased to invite you to provide your latest research and advancements in insect functional morphology that can meet the needs of biomimetic development and technical products and innovations, specifically in energy, medicine, materials, and robotics research. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. Hierarchical structure and biofunction of insects in extreme habitats;
  2. Mechanics and bioinspired functional products, g., adhesive surfaces;
  3. Motion, behavior, and biomimetics, like jumping, flight, swimming, and walking;
  4. Sensing and bioinspired applications, like biosensors in optics, temperature, and humidity;
  5. Others like bio-design in art, clothing, and architecture.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Siqi Ge
Dr. Mingxia Sun
Dr. Jianing Wu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • insect
  • functional morphology
  • experimental characterization
  • numerical modeling
  • engineering design
  • technological application

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 20945 KiB  
Article
Ultrastructural Changes in Final Instar Larvae of Papilio polytes (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) Lead to Differences in Epidermal Spreading of Water and Adjuvants
by Zhengyu Lu, Xue Wu, Tingting Zhang and Chufei Tang
Biomimetics 2025, 10(4), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10040251 - 19 Apr 2025
Viewed by 241
Abstract
Papilio polytes is a cosmopolitan Lepidoptera species of controversial use and management. It remained unclear how its epidermal ultrastructure changes during development and how this affects its wetting properties in relation to water and pesticide adjuvants. In this study, the epidermis of P. [...] Read more.
Papilio polytes is a cosmopolitan Lepidoptera species of controversial use and management. It remained unclear how its epidermal ultrastructure changes during development and how this affects its wetting properties in relation to water and pesticide adjuvants. In this study, the epidermis of P. polytes was systematically examined at the important feeding stage (from 3rd to 5th instar). Its ultrastructure was quantitatively observed by scanning electron microscopy. Its wetting properties towards the three main types of adjuvants and water were evaluated by contact angle. The chemical functional group differences between different instars and different adjuvant treatments were analyzed by mid-infrared spectroscopy. The correlation between the ultrastructural deformation and variations in wetting properties was verified by simulation tests. It was found that the complication of the epidermal structure was the leading factor for the significant increase in hydrophobicity during development. Cationic adjuvants had the best infiltrating effect on complex epidermal structures and organosilicon adjuvants had the best infiltrating effect on simple epidermal structures. The results provide data for biomimetic design for different wetting properties and suggest the feasibility and advantages of selecting pesticide adjuvants based on developmental changes in the structural characteristics of the insect epidermis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Morphology and Biomimetics: Learning from Insects)
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Review

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25 pages, 15691 KiB  
Review
The Right Tool for the Job: A Review of Insect Mouthparts as a Tool Kit for Biomimetic Studies
by Matthew S. Lehnert, Kendall O. Myers and Kristen E. Reiter
Biomimetics 2025, 10(4), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10040196 - 24 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1175
Abstract
Few traits exhibit a more diverse collection of exemplary structure–function relationships than the mouthparts of insects. The global dominance of insects is attributed to their diverse food sources, which are matched by an array of morphological and chemical adaptations: a ‘tool kit’ for [...] Read more.
Few traits exhibit a more diverse collection of exemplary structure–function relationships than the mouthparts of insects. The global dominance of insects is attributed to their diverse food sources, which are matched by an array of morphological and chemical adaptations: a ‘tool kit’ for biomimicry. This review provides an overview of insect mouthparts that have contributed to biomimetics, including information about morphology and functionality in relation to particular feeding mechanisms. Themes in the groups of insects employed for particular biomimetic studies, including their lineages and feeding strategies, are identified along with suggestions for future studies, which together underscore the importance and promise of the development of novel engineered devices inspired by the unique ‘tools’ of insect mouthparts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Morphology and Biomimetics: Learning from Insects)
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