Micro- and Nanotribology at the Insect-Plant Interface

As a result of evolutionary arm race between insects and plants, numerous plant surfaces that reduce insect attachment have been evolved. These surfaces provide an effective repelling effect against herbivores, sap-sucking insects and nectar robbers due to the reduction of adhesive and frictional forces in contact between the plant surface and insect attachment devices. This review summarizes literature data and own results on tribological aspects of insect-plant interactions. First, we provide a short introduction to attachment systems of insects. Second, tribological effects of three-dimensional micro- and nanoscopical epicuticular waxes of plants are demonstrated. The contact force reduction mechanisms of plant wax structures (roughness effect, contamination effect, fluid-adsorption effect, and wax-dissolving hypothesis) and their potential implications for biology, agriculture and engineering are discussed.