Limpets

Thinking about things sticking to other things, aren't them limpets strong?

I wonder which is stronger, a limpet, or a barnacle?

Anyroad, today's little project is to find the name of them little beetle thingies which have amazing suction cups on their feet.

Or more to the point, not suction cups like a Dalek has, but a clever thing consisting of a tube full of retractable fibres which create a vacuum.

By name, I mean proper name, not 'Arnold the beetle' etc.

They were once on telly in a documentary about how size-for-size the animal kingdom was much stronger than us.

Or was it one about natural adhesives and sticky stuff?

Beetle thingies were a bit smaller than a ladybird and once stuck to a leaf or watever, they are a bugger to get off.

Coming soon; copper bottoms.


Started: 12th Sep 2012 at 13:46

A tick

No, not a tick, Eront. They are really clever little doings, look like fibre optics with a lubricant on them. took scientists years to find out how they worked.

Google time.

Some people are limper than others, but specialists sort those types out.

Adhesion is secured by a liquid, most probably an oil. By adhering, the beetle is able to thwart attacking ants, given that it is able to cling more persistently than the ant persists in its assault

Foot Adhesion

Hemisphaerota Cyanea

Or as we scientsts call it, An Moggy.