柱萤叶甲属研究（Ⅰ）鞘翅具黑色刻点的种类记述（鞘翅目：叶甲科）

本文就萤叶甲亚科中柱萤叶甲属鞘翅具黑色刻点的种类进行研究,共记述４种,我国已记录３种,其中１种为新种。     

The Role of Elytra in Beetle Flight: I. Generation of Quasi-Static Aerodynamic Forces

We conducted a comprehensive study to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics and force generation of the elytra of abeetle,Allomyrina dichotoma.Our analysis included wind tunnel experiments and three-dimensional computational fluiddynamics simulations using ANSYS-CFX software.Our first approach was a quasi-static study that considered the effect ofinduced flapping flow due to the flapping motion of the fore-wings (elytra) at a frequency of around 30 Hz to 40 Hz.The dihedralangle was varied to represent flapping motion during the upstroke and downstroke.We found that an elytron producespositive lift at 0° geometric angle of attack,negative lift during the upstroke,and always produces drag during both the upstrokeand downstroke.We also found that the lift coefficient of an elytron does not drop even at a very high geometric angle of attack.For a beetle with a body weight of 5 g,based on the quasi-static method,the fore-wings (elytra) can produce lift of less than 1%of its body weight.     

Macro-/Micro-Structures of Elytra, Mechanical Properties of the Biomaterial and the Coupling Strength Between Elytra in Beetles

Macro-/Micro-structures and mechanical properties of the elytra of beetles were studied. The Scan Electron Microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy were employed to observe the macro-/micro-structure of the surface texture and cross-section structure of elytra. Nano-indentation was carried out to measure the elastic modulus and the hardness of elytra. Tensile strengths of elytra in lateral and longitudinal directions were measured by a muhifunctional testing machine. The coupling force between elytra was also measured and the clocking mechanism was studied. SEM images show the similar geometric structure in transverse and longitudinal sections and multilayer-dense epicuticle and exocuticle, followed by bridge piers with a helix structured fibers, which connect the exocuticle to the endodermis, and form an ellipse empty to reduce the structure weight. The elastic modulus and the hardness are topologically distributed and the mechanical parameters of fresh elytra are much higher than those of dried elytra. The tensile strength of the fresh biological material is twice that of dried samples, but there is no clear difference between the data in lateral and longitudinal directions. Coupling forces measured are 6.5 to 160 times of beetles' bodyweight, which makes the scutellum very important in controlling the open and close of the elytra. The results provide a biological template to inspire lightweight structure design for aerospace engineering.     

Microsculpture in UK ground beetles: Are there patterns?

Cuticular microsculpture “cells” were measured on 78 species of UK ground beetles. The data were analyzed to establish whether the type of microsculpture could be linked to ground beetle size (length) or ecological preferences. Larger species tended towards isodiametric patterns, while more of the smaller species showed a transverse or effaced pattern. There was no indication that preferences for dry or moist habitat were linked to microsculpture type, which had been suggested in the literature.     

FINE STRUCTURE OF TRABECULA IN THE ELYTRA OF ALLOMYRINA DICHOTOMA (LINNE) AND PROSOPOCOILUS INCLINATUS (MOTSCHULSKY) (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEEDAE)

Abstract To obtain new ideas on optimal composite material structure, the fine structures of the trabeculae of the elytra of Allomyrina dichotoma (Iinné) and Prosopocoilus inclinatus (Motschulsky) were investigated using scanning electron microscope. The shape and size of trabeculae, which form the internal bridges between the upper and lower surfaces of the elytra, depend on the species of beetles. Complex surface structures (stripes or bandings) were found in those of A. dichotoma , but less in P. inclinatus . The trabeculae consisted of three parts: the surface part, the cylindrical layer and the central part. The surface and the central part were mainly protein substances which could be dissolved by KOH. The cylindrical layer had many chitin fibers with different orientation, and they were embedded in a protein matrix, and were connected to endocuticle chitin fibers on the upper and lower parts of the lamination.     

Quasi-Static and Dynamic Nanoindentation of Some Selected Biomaterials

This study details an investigation of the viscoelastic behavior of some biomaterials （nacre, cattle horn and beetle cuticle） at lamellar length scales using quasi-static and dynamic nanoindentation techniques in the materials＇ Transverse Direction （TD） and Longitudinal Direction （LD）. Our results show that nacre exhibits high fracture toughness moving towards a larger cam- paniForm as the stress frequency varies from 10 Hz to 200 Hz. Elytra cuticle exhibits the least fracture toughness presenting little energy dissipation in TD. It was initially speculated that the fracture toughness of the subject materials would be directly related to energy-dissipating mechanisms （mechanical hysteresis）, but not the maximum value of the loss tangent tan＆ However, it was found that the materials＇ elastic modulus and hardness are similar in both the TD and LD when assessed using the quasi-static nanoindentation method, but not dynamic nanoindentation. It is believed that the reported results can be useful in the design of new crack arrest and damping materials based on biological counterparts.     

Selection becomes visible: enforced sexual dimorphism caused by sexual selection in the weevil Rhopalapion longirostre (Olivier 1807) (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Brentidae)

Extremely divergent traits between males and females are often the result of different requirements and behaviours of the sexes and will evolve relatively rapidly under selection forces. Sexual dimorphism in Rhopalapion longirostre is predominately manifested in the length and structure of the rostrum. To estimate how sexual selection shapes mating success in this weevil we compared paired and unpaired individuals collected from three populations in Austria. The mating process in this species is complex and lengthy. Statistical analyses based on detailed observations of their mating behaviour revealed that matched pairs show functional affinities in body size. Females and males with larger elytra, as well as males with large overall body size, are favoured mating partners, while males that are too small have no mating success. This arrangement ensures copulation and consequently successful egg deposition. For efficient egg channel boring into the flower buds of the host plant, Alcea rosea, the extremely long female rostrum is a crucial tool. Natural selection promotes longer rostra in females whereas sexual selection favours the shorter rostra in males. The major evolutionary forces, natural and sexual selection, enhance the sexual dimorphism in this species. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 115 , 38–47.     

Coupling between elytra of some beetles: Mechanism, forces and effect of surface texture

Lightweight materials, structures and coupling mechanisms are very important for realizing advanced flight vehicles. Here, we obtained the geometric structures and morphologies of the elytra of beetles and ascertained its coupling zone by using the histological section technique and SEM. We set up a three-dimensional motion observing system to monitor the opening and closing behaviour of elytra in beetles and to determine the motion mechanism. We constructed a force measuring system to measure the coupling forces between elytra. The results show that elytra open and close by rotating about a single axle, where the coupling forces may be as high as 160 times its own bodyweight, the elytra coupling with the tenon and mortise mechanism, surface texture and opening angle between elytra heavily influence the coupling forces. These results may provide insights into the design mechanism and structure for future vehicles of flight.     

DISTRIBUTION OF TRABECULAE AND ELYTRAL SURFACE STRUCTURES OF THE HORNED BEETLE, ALLOMYRINA DICHOTOMA (LINNÉ) (COLEOPTERA: SCARABAEIDAE)

Abstract To clarify the dynamic construction of Allomyrina dichotoma (Linné) elytra, the distribution of trabeculae and surface structures has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy and transmitted light. There are solid trabeculae in the elytron and under penetrating light these can be seen as black dots. It is clear that trabeculae arrangement is almost entirely irregular throughout the elytron, except for some approximately straight alignment near some trachea. This irregular arrangement is different from the longitudinal rows of striations that are well known in other species, and there are no hollowed striae (punctures) on the elytral surface of A. dichotoma . Throughout the internal architecture of the elytron, there are mesh-like (honeycomb) structures. Each honeycomb usually has 1–2 trabeculae mainly distributed at the corners of the honeycomb. The number of trabeculae present on each honeycomb is dependent on the size of the honeycomb.     

How Could Beetle＇s Elytra Support Their Own Weight during Forward Flight？

The aerodynamic role of the elytra during a beetle＇s flapping motion is not well-elucidated, although it is well-recognized that the evolution of elytra has been a key in the success of coleopteran insects due to their protective function. An experimental study on wing kinematics reveals that for almost concurrent flapping with the hind wings, the flapping angle of the elytra is 5 times smaller than that of the hind wings. Then, we explore the aerodynamic forces on elytra in free forward flight with and without an effect of elytron-hind wing interaction by three-dimensional numerical simulation. The numerical results show that vertical force generated by the elytra without interaction is not sufficient to support even its own weight. However, the elytron-hind wing interaction improves the vertical force on the elytra up to 80%; thus, the total vertical force could fully support its own weight. The interaction slightly increases the vertical force on the hind wind by 6% as well.