The Unilateral Jumping Structures of the Spotted Lanternfly, <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): A Highly Functional and Integrated Unit

Previous research on the jumping structures of insects with strong leaping abilities mainly focused on overall jumping mechanisms. Our study reveals that the unilateral jumping structures (UJSs) of <i>L. delicatula</i> has relative functional autonomy. The UJSs consist of three distinct...

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Main Authors: Xu Chen, Aiping Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Biomimetics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/10/7/444
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author Xu Chen
Aiping Liang
author_facet Xu Chen
Aiping Liang
author_sort Xu Chen
collection DOAJ
description Previous research on the jumping structures of insects with strong leaping abilities mainly focused on overall jumping mechanisms. Our study reveals that the unilateral jumping structures (UJSs) of <i>L. delicatula</i> has relative functional autonomy. The UJSs consist of three distinct but interconnected parts: (1) energy storage component: it comprises the pleural arch and trochanteral depressor muscles, with the deformation zone extending about two-thirds of the pleural arch from the V-notch to the U-notch; (2) coupling component: made up of the coxa and trochanter, it serves as a bridge between the energy and lever components, connecting them via protuberances and pivots; and (3) lever component: it encompasses the femur, tibia, and tarsus. A complete jumping action lasts from 2.4 ms to 4.6 ms. During a jump, the deformation length of the pleural arch is 0.96 ± 0.06 mm. The angles ∠ct (angle between coxa and trochanter), ∠fp (angle between femur and pleural arch), and ∠ft (angle between femur and tibia) change by 57.42 ± 1.60, 101.40 ± 1.59, and 36.06 ± 2.41 degrees, respectively. In this study, we abstracted the jumping structures of <i>L. delicatula</i> and identified its critical components. The insights obtained from this study are anticipated to provide valuable inspiration for the design and fabrication of biomimetic jumping mechanisms.
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spelling doaj-art-ee5da40097f14d67a00a2c952ade77fc2025-08-20T03:07:54ZengMDPI AGBiomimetics2313-76732025-07-0110744410.3390/biomimetics10070444The Unilateral Jumping Structures of the Spotted Lanternfly, <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): A Highly Functional and Integrated UnitXu Chen0Aiping Liang1Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, 393 Binshuixidao Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300387, ChinaTianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, 393 Binshuixidao Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300387, ChinaPrevious research on the jumping structures of insects with strong leaping abilities mainly focused on overall jumping mechanisms. Our study reveals that the unilateral jumping structures (UJSs) of <i>L. delicatula</i> has relative functional autonomy. The UJSs consist of three distinct but interconnected parts: (1) energy storage component: it comprises the pleural arch and trochanteral depressor muscles, with the deformation zone extending about two-thirds of the pleural arch from the V-notch to the U-notch; (2) coupling component: made up of the coxa and trochanter, it serves as a bridge between the energy and lever components, connecting them via protuberances and pivots; and (3) lever component: it encompasses the femur, tibia, and tarsus. A complete jumping action lasts from 2.4 ms to 4.6 ms. During a jump, the deformation length of the pleural arch is 0.96 ± 0.06 mm. The angles ∠ct (angle between coxa and trochanter), ∠fp (angle between femur and pleural arch), and ∠ft (angle between femur and tibia) change by 57.42 ± 1.60, 101.40 ± 1.59, and 36.06 ± 2.41 degrees, respectively. In this study, we abstracted the jumping structures of <i>L. delicatula</i> and identified its critical components. The insights obtained from this study are anticipated to provide valuable inspiration for the design and fabrication of biomimetic jumping mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/10/7/444biomechanicsexoskeletonkinematicslocomotionmorphology
spellingShingle Xu Chen
Aiping Liang
The Unilateral Jumping Structures of the Spotted Lanternfly, <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): A Highly Functional and Integrated Unit
Biomimetics
biomechanics
exoskeleton
kinematics
locomotion
morphology
title The Unilateral Jumping Structures of the Spotted Lanternfly, <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): A Highly Functional and Integrated Unit
title_full The Unilateral Jumping Structures of the Spotted Lanternfly, <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): A Highly Functional and Integrated Unit
title_fullStr The Unilateral Jumping Structures of the Spotted Lanternfly, <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): A Highly Functional and Integrated Unit
title_full_unstemmed The Unilateral Jumping Structures of the Spotted Lanternfly, <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): A Highly Functional and Integrated Unit
title_short The Unilateral Jumping Structures of the Spotted Lanternfly, <i>Lycorma delicatula</i> (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): A Highly Functional and Integrated Unit
title_sort unilateral jumping structures of the spotted lanternfly i lycorma delicatula i hemiptera fulgoridae a highly functional and integrated unit
topic biomechanics
exoskeleton
kinematics
locomotion
morphology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/10/7/444
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