Meeting Abstract

P2-101   -   Development of the wettability test on live butterflies and moths Sun, Y*; Gole, AR; Kornev, KG; Clemson University, SC; Clemson University, SC; Clemson University, SC yuemins@g.clemson.edu

Proboscises of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) have unique material properties which allow them to acquire sticky and viscous liquids while remaining clean. Experiments of removed butterfly proboscises reveled hydrophobic/hydrophilic dichotomy where ~ 80% of the proboscis surface is hydrophobic and only the distal 20% is hydrophilic. We report on the development of a new experimental setup and protocol allowing one to study the wetting properties and drinking mechanisms of live butterflies and moths. Using two cameras, a linear stage, and a tube securing and guiding proboscis, one can evaluate the profiles of meniscus at the dorsal, ventral, left and right sides of the proboscis. With the developed LabVIEW program, one can get the advancing and receding contact angles and some other characters specific for a particular specie. This poster will illustrate the working principles of this setup providing a systematic analysis of the wetting features of Manduca sexta proboscises and comparing them with the wetting features of Vanessa cadui proboscises which are much shorter and thinner.