Frictional surfaces of the elytra-to-body arresting mechanism in tenebrionid beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): design of co-opted fields of microtrichia and cuticle ultrastructure

摘要

In beetles, the system responsible for an attachment of forewings (elytra) to the thorax consists of interlocking fields of microtrichia (MT) located between thorax and body and between left and right elytra. Comparative data are provided on microtrichia design on the thorax and elytra in three species of tenebrionid beetles (Tribolium castaneum, Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas rugipes [Z. atratus]), which are different in size. The findings may aid in understanding the morphological basis of cuticular microsculptures acting as frictional devices.