strategy
Choice of plant reduces parasite loadmonarch butterfly
Monarch butterflies infected with parasites capable of infecting their offspring avoid transmission by selectively laying their eggs on plants containing therapeutic remedies.
strategy
Plants rise above floodingpeatland plants
Peatland plants survive variable water levels by growing on stilt-like tussocks.
strategy
Stems resist bucklingplants
The stems of many plants resist buckling using low-density foam cores.
strategy
Pollen coat prevents dehydrationplants
The pollen grains of seed plants are protected from dehydration via a hard coat.
strategy
Structures optimize material useplants
Plants maximize strength while reducing materials by incorporating tetrahedral elements that can be stacked in hexagonal containers.
strategy
Hairs prevent evaporationarid zone plants
Hairs on arid zone plants reduce water loss to wind by creating a dense felt.
idea
Miniaturized condensersDuke University
Super-efficient condensers for power plants
strategy
Leaves deter herbivorybirch trees
The leaves of some birch trees may help deter herbivory by adsorbing arthropod-repelling chemical compounds emitted from neighboring plants.
strategy
Bulk prevents moisture losscushion plants
The stems of cushion plants prevent moisture loss due to their fibrous bulk.
strategy
Pigment enhances light absorptiontropical plants
Leaves of tropical plants such as Leptospermum recapture light with purple pigment.
strategy
Seeds disperse by jet actionice plants
Seeds of ice plants disperse by jet action using the energy of raindrops and moisture-sensitive capsules.
strategy
Photosynthesis with low CO2peatland plants
Plants in calcareous peatlands photosynthesize in low CO2 levels by taking up bicarbonate and converting it to CO2.
strategy
Roots maximize water uptakeplants
Roots of plants maximize water uptake by adapting their orientation to the environment.
strategy
Reinforced fibers provide strengthplants
Fibers in many woody plants provide mechanical strength via lignin reinforcements.
strategy
Sclereid cells prevent soft tissue collapseplants
Sclereid cells in vascular plants help prevent the collapse of soft tissues during water stress via thick, lignified walls.
strategy
Plants minimize water lossdesert
Plants in arid ecosystems self-organize to minimize water loss and aid plant and seed survival.
strategy
Tissues create hydrostatic pressureplants
Tissues of plants generate hydrostatic pressure by injecting solutes into a confined space and allowing water to enter.
strategy
Plants survive repeated drying and rehydrationlesser clubmoss
The cells of lesser clubmoss plants prevent deformation during repeated dehydration via small vacuoles filled with mechanical mixtures called colloids.
strategy
Enzyme catalyzes many reactionsplants
Many plants and microorganisms can catalyze a wide variety of organic chemical reactions via the 2OG oxygenase enzyme.
strategy
Relationship provides nutrients, protectionant-plants and ants
Ant-plants and their ant lodgers gain nutrients and protection thanks to their mutualistic relationship.
strategy
Camouflage reduces herbivorypebble plants
The flat, rounded leaves and underground growth of pebble plants may protect them from herbivory by serving as camouflage.
strategy
Round shape reduces water losspebble plants
The rounded shape of the leaves of pebble plants minimizes evaporation due to its low surface area relative to volume.
strategy
Photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energyplants
Photosynthesis in plants converts solar energy into chemical energy using electrons and protons from water.
strategy
Structures maximize light absorptionplants
Thylakoid structures of plants and cyanobacteria maximize exposure to light by being stacked and cross-linked.
strategy
Walls prevent collapse under tensionplants
Xylem vessels and tracheids of vascular plants prevent their own collapse while under tension via helical thickening of their walls.
strategy
Crystals draw sunlight into plantwindow plants
The pillar-like leaves of window plants enhance photosynthesis by filtering sunlight down a series of translucent crystals of oxalic acid.
strategy
Biopolymers absorb organic compounds in soilplants
The cuticle of plants are good sorbents for organic compounds due to rigid (crystalline) polymethylene moieties of the biopolymers cutin and cutan.
strategy
Tightly packed stems protect from windcushion plants
The stems of cushion plants protect from the wind via tight packing.
strategy
Tightly packed stems insulate against cold
The stems of cushion plants protect from the cold via tight packing.
strategy
Antenna structure efficiently gathers lightvascular plants
Light harvesting antenna of plants allow for very quantum efficient capture by high pigment density and long excited-state lifetime design.
strategy
Iridescent thin layer provides photoprotectionunderstory rainforest plants
Leaves of tropical rainforest understory plants are protected from excess sun by blue iridescence.
strategy
Roots absorb nutrients from dead leaves
The stems of cushion plants reabsorb nutrients from dead leaves by sending out lateral rootlets.
strategy
Structural composition provides strength in changing conditionsplants
The cell walls of vascular plants provide mechanical strength during different stages of growth by adjusting their structural composition.
idea
Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surface SLIPSThe Aizenberg Biomineralization and Biomimetics Lab, Harvard University
Self-cleaning coating that mimics pitcher plants
strategy
Root systems control erosionvascular plants
Root systems of plants control erosion through architectural characteristics.
strategy
Photoreceptor proteins direct shade avoidance behaviorthale cress
Thale cress plants maximize photosynthetic activity by detecting changes in wavelengths of red and blue light associated with shade, triggering protein production to direct growth away from shaded areas.
strategy
Rod-like reinforcements provide strengthplants
Vascular bundles in plants provide mechanical strength, serving as rod-like reinforcements.
strategy
Rind resists rottingflowering plants
Pollen grains of flowering plants are protected because of a stable, rot-resistant outer rind.
strategy
Coating removes unwanted organismstrees
The leaves of some trees protect from epiphytic freeloaders via sheddable waxy coating.
strategy
Nurse shrubs promote ecosystem regenerationMediterranean montane ecosystems
Pioneering nurse shrubs in Mediterranean montane forests promote ecosystem regeneration by increasing shade above ground and potassium below ground.
strategy
Thylakoidal system transports folded proteinsplants
Thylakoids of plants and cyanobacteria are able to transport folded or malformed proteins across tightly sealed membranes via a protein translocation system.
strategy
Lignified parenchyma cells provide strengthplants
Parenchyma cells in plants provide mechanical support when they become lignified and thick-walled.
strategy
Leaves maximize sun exposureplants
Leaves of plants maximize exposure to sun to maximize photosynthesis by moving throughout the day.
strategy
Guard cells regulate gas and moisture exchangeplants
Stomatal pores in plants regulate the amount of water and solutes within them by opening and closing their guard cells using osmotic pressure.
strategy
Cells recognize and respond to pathogensplants
Cells of plants detect pathogens and promote rapid cell death around the infection, keeping the plant alive, using Hypersensitive Response (HR).
strategy
Vascular systems transport fluids and solutesplants
Vascular systems of plants transport fluids and solutes by creating bars of tension by capillary action in leaves to pull water out of the soil and through the plant.
strategy
Collenchyma cells provide strength, flexibilityplants
Collenchyma cells in vascular plants support growing parts due to flexible cellulosic walls, which lignify once growth has ceased.
strategy
Catalyst helps split waterplants
Catalysts in the chloroplasts of photosynthesizing plants help split water by binding water molecules and separating protons and electrons.
strategy
Xylem conduits transport waterplants
Xylem conduits in plants transport water from soil to leaves through a pulling force generated when water evaporates at the surface of leaves creating a negative pressure gradient.
strategy
Pollen survives extreme dehydrationflowering plants
Pollen of flowering plants can survive extreme dehydration via several mechanisms, including a reversible wall-folding pathway that results in complete impermeability.
strategy
Leaves communicate pest damageplants
The leaves of some plants protect from pests because as they are chewed, they release a chemical combination of acids and alcohols that attract pest-eating insects.
strategy
Folds allow efficient leaf deploymentplants
Leaves of plants maximize time exposed for photosynthesis by using various packaging schemes to fold the large leaves within the buds so they can begin photosynthesizing upon deployment.
strategy
Fatty acids prevent freezingcotton plants
Fatty acids in cotton seedlings prevent freezing by changing the composition of the cell membranes.
idea
Concentrated solar plantMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Optimal arrangement of solar array mirrors based on Fibonacci spirals.
strategy
Sugars assist desiccation tolerancespikemoss
The tissues of spikemoss survive extremely dry conditions due in part to production of trehalose or sucrose, which behave as water-replacement molecules.
idea
Friction-reducing ship coatingFraunhofer CML
A superhydrophobic coating on the outside of ships reduces frictional resistance, allowing vessels to move more easily through the water.
strategy
Collaboration benefits multiple participantsmangrove forests
Several species of epiphytes, ants, fungi, and butterflies in mangrove forests provide benefits to each other through mutualism.
strategy
Symbiosis enables growth in salty soilberseem clover
Mycorrhiza allow Egyptian clover to grow in salty soil by regulating the uptake and distribution of salt ions into the plant.
strategy
Density moderates microclimatealpine sandwort
Arid and alpine plants such as alpine sandwort moderate microclimates by forming dense groups.
strategy
Pitchers prevent fungal growthpitcher plant
The pitchers of pitcher plants prevent fungal growth using napthoquinones.
strategy
Species diversity maintains grasslandsTanzania's Serengeti Plain
The species diversity of grazers and plants helps maintain grasslands by offering a menu of plants of different palatabilities.
strategy
Rosettes capture fogTillandsia
Leaves of rosette-forming plants capture fog by having a narrow form.
strategy
Red leaves hide plants from insectsplants
Anthocyanins in leaves camouflage the plant from insects and make insects more vulnerable to predators by inhibiting the reflecting of green wavelengths.
strategy
Surface cells store waterice plant
The leaves of ice plants store water in surface bladder-like cells.
strategy
Thin-walled tubular stems resist bucklingbamboo
The stems of many plants may resist buckling by including transverse bulkheads that prevent ovalization.
idea
bioWAVEBioPower Systems
Wave power anchoring system based on undersea plants
strategy
Feeding behavior increases nitrogen availabilitynematodes
The feeding behavior of nematodes increases nitrogen availability to plants because they prey on nitrogen-hoarding bacteria and excrete excess nitrogen in a form plants can use.
strategy
Floating mats adjust to water levelsbeaked sedge
Floating mats of beaked sedge and other peatland plants aid survival in fluctuating water levels because they are held together and kept afloat by rootlike stems (rhizomes) of the plants.
strategy
Leaves protect from pathogensthale cress
Leaves of thale cress protect the plant from pathogenic microorganisms by interrupting the cellular signals that otherwise keep the stoma open and vulnerable to bacterial invasion.
strategy
Rhizomorphs distribute water between plantsmycorrhizal fungi
Rhizomorphs in mycorrhizal fungi maintain plant hydration by transporting fluid between the root systems of neighboring plants
strategy
Tentacles catch tiny particlesbryozoans
Members of bryozoan colonies capture tiny plants and animals to feed on by thrusting feathery tentacles into the current.
strategy
More successful pollinationorchids
The flowers of individual plants of a given orchid species improve the odds for successful pollination by producing a scent unique to that plant.
strategy
Roots recruit symbiotic soil bacteriaMaize
The roots of maize defend against phytopathogens by releasing a pesticide that also attracts a beneficial microbe that preys on the target pest.
idea
Bioinspired adhesive tapeEvolutionary Biomaterials Group, Max Planck Institute for Metals Research
'Insect tape' is reusable and washable
idea
Shrilk composite filmWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University
Biodegradable, biocompatible, lightweight, clear film
idea
Hornet electricityTel-Aviv University
Hornet energy inspires solar cell
idea
Solar SailorSolarSailor
Marine solar panels mimic insect wings
idea
Self-repairing polymer compositesNatural Process Design, Inc.
Self-repairing composites increase safety, decrease waste
idea
Self-repairing concreteNatural Process Design, Inc.
Self-repair that increases durability of concrete structures
idea
Nanopore measuring deviceUniversity of Michigan, Biomedical Engineering Department and Chemical Engineering Department
Nanopore that doesn't clog, is more effective
idea
Directional antennaeUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
More accurate antennae
strategy
Insect elytra resist shear and crackingbeetles
Elytra of beetles maintain integrity of their two layers by transforming forces through connecting bio-nails.
strategy
Colonies self-organizesocial insects
Colonies of social insects self-organize and carry out complex group tasks through many simple individual interactions.
strategy
Feet prevent slippinginsects
Feet of insects stick to surfaces using nanometer-thin films of liquid secretions.
strategy
Secretions protect from multiple organismspleasing fungus beetle
Glands of the pleasing fungus beetle kill microbes, deter predators and competitors by secreting volatile fluids.
strategy
Eggs stick to waxy surfaceasparagus beetle
Eggs of the asparagus beetle attach firmly to waxy plant surfaces using proteinaceous secretions.
strategy
Wings perform high-quality flightinsects
Wings of insects of different size perform high-quality flight by producing different flow structures as they flap.
strategy
Protein helps organize cuticlered flour beetle
Chitin in the cuticle of the red flour beetle is protected from degradation and organized and layered thanks to a special protein.
strategy
Wing veins improve fracture toughnesslocust
Veins on wings of migratory locusts improve fracture toughness by acting as barriers to crack propagation.
strategy
Legs propel insect farflea
The hind legs of fleas allow it to leap far because they have a protein called resilin that stores energy and releases it to extend the hind legs.
strategy
Marking unrewarding routespharaoh ant
Foraging members of Pharaoh ant colonies guide fellow foragers away from unrewarding routes via a repellent pheromone.
strategy
Proboscis forms a sealed cylinderbutterfly
The cuticular structures on the surface of the proboscis of a butterfly form a sealed coil against the head of the insect by interlocking in various directions.
strategy
Exoskeleton adjusts to structural forcesinsects
Exoskeleton of insects adjusts to strain and load by changing thickness, stiffness, and fiber orientation.
strategy
Larvae protected from predatorscase-bearing leaf beetles
Larvae of case-bearing leaf beetles protect themselves with hard cases made of fecal matter.
strategy
Smell used for navigationdesert ant
The antennae of desert ants help them navigate by detecting odors stereoscopically.
strategy
Microstructure offers efficient flightdragonfly
Wings of dragonflies offer highly efficient flight and lightweight characteristics due to a series of adaptive materials that form a very complex composite structure.
strategy
Sensilla detect firebeetle
Sensilla in the infrared sensory organ of the Melanophila acuminata beetle detect fire by a structure of lipids channeling photons to a protein region highly sensitive to hydrogen resonance.
strategy
A non-toxic foam secretion prevents predationpine spittlebug
Excrement from pine spittlebug nymphs repels predatory ants when the nymphs engulf themselves in a foam derived from their feces.
strategy
Chemicals reveal foescarpenter ant
Carpenter ants identify intruders based on the scent of cuticular chemicals not present on nest-mates.
strategy
The neuron lobula giant movement detector (LGMD) protects from collisionlocusts
The neuron lobula giant movement detector (LGMD) of the locust protects the locust from collison by filtering out excess stimuli.
strategy
Hairs repel watercranefly
Hairs of the cranefly repel water due to their microstructure and arrangement on wings and legs.
strategy
Body sheds dirt particlesstonefly larvae
The body and eyes of stonefly larvae are protected from sediment particles by a coating of dense hairs and bristles.
strategy
Cuticle protects against cracks, damagedesert locust
Cuticle on legs of locust withstands damage without loss of strength through fracture toughness and low stiffness.
strategy
Foot adaptations climb rough and smooth surfacesinsects
Feet of insects adjust to rough or smooth surfaces by engaging either claws or adhesive foot-pads.
strategy
Ocelli sense length of daylightinsects
The ocelli of insects sense day length via a small lens and pigmented retinal cells.
strategy
Raised abdomen reduces draghoneybee
Abdomen of honey reduces drag during flight by being raised to increase streamlining.
strategy
Wing scales provide liftbutterflies
The wings of butterflies gain lift because their scales point away from the leading edge of the wing, helping air flow smoothly over the wing.
strategy
Reflex "bleeding" deters predatorsbloody-nosed beetle
The mouth of bloody-nose beetles deters predators via noxious liquid secretions.
strategy
Pressure forces blood from poresgrasshopper
Weak pores in the cuticle of certain grasshoppers ooze blood plasma as the hydrostatic pressure within the grasshoppers' bodies increases.
strategy
Poisonous secretions deter predatorsblister beetle
Secretions of blister beetles help deter predators by containing cantharidin, a poisonous chemical.
strategy
Lack of wing scales enhances camouflageclearwing butterfies
The wings of a clearwing butterfly provide camouflage because they lack scales, allowing whatever background the butterfly has landed on to show through its wings.
strategy
Larvae survive in digestive liquidsflesh flies
The larvae of flesh flies live in the water trap of pitcher plants and withstand the digestive enzyme juices meant to break down organisms.
strategy
Fan-like antennae aid sensingcockchafer beetle
The antennae of cockchafer beetles effectively sense signals via fan-like ends that increase the exposure of the sensillae to air.
strategy
Needle-like structure inserts painlesslymosquito
The proboscis of the mosquito inserts painlessly because the jagged edge of the proboscis leaves only small points in contact.
strategy
Jumping legs resist failuredesert locust
The jumping legs of the locust avoid failure due to high and frequent loading through viscoelasticity and plasticity of the chitin protein matrix.
strategy
Moth larvae manipulate host plant physiologyleaf-miner moth
Larvae of leaf-miner moths keep patches of wilting host leaves alive to ensure successful development with the help of bacterial endosymbionts.
strategy
Leg paddles and spurs speed aquatic jumpsPygmy mole cricket
Paddles and spurs on the legs of the pygmy mole cricket create faster aquatic jumps by increasing the cricket's surface area.
strategy
Larvae protect from cyanideSara longwing butterfly
Larvae of sara longwing butterflies avoid harm from cyanogenic leaves by metabolizing cyanogenic glycosides enzymatically, preventing cyanide release.
strategy
Secretions are antibacterialgreenbottle fly
Secretions of the greenbottle fly protects the larvae from bacteria via antibacterial peptides.
strategy
Larvae produce foammeadow spittlebug
The larvae of meadow spittlebugs produce their protective foam casings by exhaling air into a viscid fluid.
strategy
Feet sensitive to sweetnessbutterfly
The feet of butterflies taste sweetness using extremely sensitive taste hairs.
strategy
Reducing surface tension to travel on waterrove beetle
Abdominal glands of the rove beetle help it skim quickly across water via secreted chemicals that locally reduce surface tension.
strategy
Corneal gratings reduce adhesionmoth and fly
The eyes of moths and flies reduce adhesion by corneal gratings that decrease the contact area.
strategy
Cuticle hole detects strain and load changesinsects
Exoskeleton of insects detects strain and load change via campaniform sensilla.
strategy
Thin liquid film allow adhesionColorado potato beetle
Tarsal structures of beetles adhere to plant surfaces by secreting lipids that are liquid at normal temperatures.
strategy
Wings combine support and material economywinged insects
The wings of insects combine structural support and material economy because they are flat, braced surfaces.
strategy
Dehydration helps survive freezingArctic springtail
The body of the Arctic springtail protects from freezing temperatures via protective dehydration.
strategy
Squeezing larvae provides glueweaver ants
Weaver ants glue their nests together using silk squeezed from their larvae.
strategy
Non-polar compounds facilitate movement of chemicalsArdistomis schaumii beetle
Defense chemicals secreted by Ardistomis schaumii beetles can pass directly through the exoskeletons of their foes with the aid of special solvents.
strategy
Fly has fast wingbeatfruit fly
The indirect flight muscles of the fruit fly allow high wingbeat frequencies via a fast actomyosin reaction.
strategy
Ovipositor drills holeslocust
Ovipositors of locusts drill deep holes by use of two reciprocating rotating elements.
strategy
Capillary action aids adhesionEuropean blowfly
Fluid secreted from tiny hairs on the feet of the European blowfly help it stick to surfaces via capillary action adhesion.
strategy
Mounds maximize ecosystem productivityOdontotermes termites
The below-ground mounds of Odontotermes termites strongly influence savanna productivity via ordered spatial distribution and modification of soil composition.
strategy
Larvae ditch threatened hostsparasitic fly
Larvae of a parasitic fly evade predation by abandoning their hosts when they are in peril.
strategy
Tracheal system delivers oxygen efficientlyfly
The tracheal systems of flying insects fuel flight by efficiently delivering oxygen-filled air to every cell of the body.
strategy
Reflector causes color and surface changetortoise beetle
The exoskeleton of the tortoise beetle changes color and reflective properties due to a chirped multilayer reflector filled with grooves that fill and empty of fluid to cover and reveal, respectively, the bottommost layer.
strategy
Legs power high jumpsspittle bug
The hind legs of spittle bugs help them jump high and accelerate rapidly using energy stored in an elastic protein called resilin.
strategy
Larvae survive extreme coldred flat bark beetle
strategy
Wings fold multiple times without wearbeetles
Wings of beetles fold multiple times without wear or fatigue by having resilin in key joints.
strategy
Wings generate lifthoneybee
The bee's complex wing positions create steady and unsteady lift forces
strategy
Tubes help cool muscles, transport gasesinsects
Insects deliver oxygen to flight muscles and cool the muscles via a tracheal system.
strategy
Unique antifreeze protects from extreme coldAlaskan darkling beetle
A sugar-based polymer produced by an Alaskan darkling beetle keeps cell contents from freezing in extreme cold temperatures by attaching to the cell membrane.
strategy
Antennae sense vibrationsmosquito
The antennae of male mosquitoes sense vibrations via fine, hair-like structures that respond to oscillations of air particles.
strategy
Metal-free beaks are strongjewel beetle
The mandibles of the larval jewel beetle are as hard as some stainless steels by sheathing chitin fibers in protein and cross-linking.
strategy
Wing structure allows rapid accelerationdragonfly
The wings of a dragonfly help it accelerate rapidly due to their asynchronous operation.
strategy
Antennae ensure smooth landingshoneybee
The antennae of the honeybee enable smooth landings by sensing landing distance and angle, signaling the body to orient appropriately.
strategy
Foot adhesion prevents capturepalm leaf beetle
The feet of the palm leaf beetle protect it from predation by capillarity-based adhesion.
strategy
Light helps capture insectsglow worms
Special organs in glow worms help lure insects to their sticky silk threads using bioluminescence.
strategy
Organs sense environmental cuesinsects
Insects interpret sensory input from antennae using Johnston's organs.
strategy
Hairs sense environmental cuesinsects
Socketed hairs of insects detect environmental stimuli through vibration.
strategy
Suspending reproduction conserves energyinsects
The reproductive or growth cycles of many insects are suspended until conditions are favorable via diapause, a hibernation-like mechanism.
strategy
Pigment cells absorb incidental lightinsects
The ommatidia in the compound eyes of insects absorbs incidental light to prevent it from reaching the lens via "scattering pigment."
strategy
Multiple legs allow sudden stopsinsects
Insects can stop dead without falling over because three legs are always on the ground while moving.
strategy
Crystals of metal salts improve cutting abilityherbivorous insects
The mandibles of many herbivorous insects have exceptional cutting abilities due to the presence of zinc or managese salts.
strategy
Wings work in unisoninsects
Insects with two pairs of wings have them work in unison by attaching the wings in various ways, with hooks, folds, or catches.
strategy
Sensilla detect strain and load changesinsects
The exoskeleton of insects detects strain and load via sensilla organs.
strategy
Mouthparts manipulate foodinsects
The mouthparts of insects hold food steady during mastication with accessory jaw-like structures, called maxillae.
strategy
Insects cycle nutrientsperiodic cicadas
Bodies of Magicicada cicadas provide mass pulses of nutrients that encourage growth of the forest trees they feed on thanks to their periodical lifecycle.
strategy
Chemical reception discourages taxiswoodlice
Woodlice reduce risk by avoiding dead and dying members of their own species via chemical signals they release.
strategy
Flotation in turbulent watersHeteropterid bugs
Water insects maintain flotation in turbulent waters thanks to an undersurface coating of water-repellent hairs.
strategy
Foragers respond to the speed and efficiency of other antsant colonies
Foragers of leafcutter ant colonies respond to the speed and efficiency of other ants by varying leaf loads in size and weight.
strategy
Insects digest fecal wastedung beetles
Dung beetles play an important role in nutrient cycling and soil generation because they feed on and bury feces.
strategy
Catches in wings hold, release tensionbees
The wings of bees and other fast flying insects provide surges of power from tiny catches, which momentarily hold wings to build up tension and then suddenly release them.
strategy
Enzymes break down pesticideshoney bee
Enzymes produced by honey bees detoxify potentially harmful pyrethroid pesticide by breaking down the aromatic rings present in their structure.
strategy
Hairs create colorsweevils
Hairs of weevils produce metallic blue and green coloring by having fine, scaly structure.
strategy
Chemical sensing of predators determines egg-layingCuliseta longiareolata mosquito
The moquito, Culiseta longiareolata, protects its offspring by sensing chemicals released by its predator, the backswimmer, Notonecta maculata, before laying its eggs.
strategy
Claws hold on at high current velocitiesriffle beetle
The legs of riffle beetles hold onto underwater substrates in fast currents using large, strong terminal claws.
strategy
Olfactory system detects decompositionhouse fly
The olfactory systems of some flies help them find food due to their extreme sensitivity to the smell of rotting meat.
strategy
Larvae survive freezingmidge
Larvae of midges survive freezing by having a high supercooling point.
strategy
Chemical plug prevents matingbutterfly
The mating apparatus of male butterflies prevents other males from mating with a female by producing a chemical plug.
strategy
Conserving energymoths
Some male moths have no mouthparts in order to conserve energy because their exclusive concern is mating.
strategy
Chemical protects from pathogenswestern boxelder bug
Glands of the western boxelder bug protect from pathogens due to release of monoterpenes when exposed to sun.
strategy
Flight path maintainedfruit fly
Fruit flies recover their flight path after wind gusts and other disturbances with an automatic stabilizer reflex.
strategy
Waxy coat controls moisture losscockroach
The cuticle of cockroaches allows temperature-controlled variability of moisture loss via a waxy coat.
strategy
Antennae sense heat of preyRhodnius bug
The antennae of Rhodnius bugs detect heat from their potential victims using numerous sensitive, hairlike thermoreceptors.
strategy
Mosquitoes detect carbon dioxidemalarial mosquitoes
The olfactory system of malarial mosquitoes detects carbon dioxide from potential hosts via a sensory mouth appendage, called a maxillary palp.
strategy
Vomited detergents wreck ant waterproofingbeet armyworm
Vomit of beet armyworms defend against ants by wetting their hydrophobic cuticle using a detergent.
strategy
Mouthpart functions changebutterfly
The mouthparts of a caterpillar and its butterfly serve drastically different functions with minimal energy loss because they arise from the same basic morphological pattern.
strategy
Sensitivity to sweetness aids in food selectionhoneybee
Honeybees select natural sugars and reject substitutes based on an extreme sensitivity to taste.
strategy
Eyes see 300 images per seconddragonfly
The eyes of dragonflies sense motion well due to high flicker-fusion frequency.
strategy
Secretions deter predatorsgrasshoppers
Blood secretions of Dictyophorus grasshoppers deter predators by forming a noxious froth when mixed with air.
strategy
Social system protects from diseasedampwood termites
Members of termite colonies transfer immunity among colony members via a sort of social vaccination.
strategy
Secretion attaches eggssaturniid gum moth
Eggs of the saturniid gum moth attach using a protein-based secretion that sets to form a highly elastic hydrogel.
strategy
Shivering muscles produce heatArctic bumblebees
The thoracic flight muscles of Arctic bumblebees generate heat by shivering.
strategy
Nests are dynamicTemnothorax ants
The colonies of Temnothorax ants adjust to colony growth or dimunition by shedding and reconstructing their nests.
strategy
Body detects magnetic fieldshoneybee
The abdomens of honeybees may be able to detect magnetic fields and use them in navigation thanks to magnetite.
strategy
Channels protect from freezinggoldenrod gall fly
Transmembrane channels, referred to as aquaporins, protect goldenrod gall fly from freezing in the winter by rapidly redistributing water out of cells.
strategy
Humidity changes exoskeleton colorHercules beetle
The exoskeleton of the Hercules beetle changes from green to black with increasing humidity using thin film interference by reversible modification of layer thickness.
strategy
Diet diversity affects healthhoneybees
Immunocompetence of honeybees is maintained with a diverse diet.
strategy
Pigment granules create colorsdamselflies
The bodies of damselflies have brilliant metallic colors derived from structural arrangement of pigment granules.
strategy
Chitin layers produce gold and silver colorsjewel scarab
The forewings of jewel scarabs produce gold and silver by having 70 layers of chitin that become progressively thinner with depth resulting in different refractive indices.
strategy
Surviving oil pondspetroleum flies
Gut bacteria of petroleum fly larvae possibly aid survival in crude oil ponds via solvent tolerance.
strategy
Antennae detect odorsdampwood termite
Odor-binding proteins on the antennae of dampwood termites mediate the transport of odoriferous chemicals to the olfactory nerves by encapsulating the hydrophobic scent chemicals in a water soluble coating.
strategy
Vortex provides liftparasitic wasp
The wings of one parasitic wasp generate lift by clapping together at the top of a stroke and then peeling off, creating a vortex that provides lift.
strategy
Temporary chemical signals guide otherssolitary bees
Some species of bees send signals to other bees via temporary scent marks.
strategy
Claws grip rough surfaceslocust
The footpads of locusts help increase their ability to grip the surface by including claws that are activated on rough or non-horizontal surfaces.
strategy
Antennae regulate foragingharvester ant
Antennal contact behavior of harvester ants communicates food availability through feedback based on rate of coming and going.
strategy
Bees collect DDTorchid bees
Some orchid bees are able to tolerate high concentrations of DDT, strategy unknown.
strategy
Communities prevent asbestos dispersionplants and lichens
Communities of plants and lichens limit dispersion of asbestos mine fibers by spontaneous colonization due to xerophytism, metal tolerance, and pioneerism.
strategy
Spherical structures minimize materials, maximize strengthorganisms
Some structures in nature have great strength and stiffness relative to material used due to their spherical or dome-shaped design.