Impact of cell shape in hierarchically structured plant surfaces on the attachment of male Colorado potato beetles (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

• Bettina Prüm,
• Robin Seidel,
• Holger Florian Bohn and
• Thomas Speck

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 57–64, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.7

• interaction; papillae; structure–function relationship; Introduction In plants the cuticle constitutes the outermost layer of the plant body and provides the direct interface to the environment. The cuticle is known to show multifaceted surface structuring and to serve different functions. Besides

Functional morphology, biomechanics and biomimetic potential of stem–branch connections in Dracaena reflexa and Freycinetia insignis

• Tom Masselter,
• Sandra Eckert and
• Thomas Speck

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 173–185, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.21

• studies have increased in number over the past decades and improved our understanding of the importance and the form–structure–function-relationship of branching significantly (e.g., [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]). It has become evident that branching is essential for woody plants, as it allows space to be