A Clockwork Insect: Garden bug sports mechanical gears Many mechanical devices have been inspired by examples in nature, but it's not often that nature replicates something only known to be made by human beings. Meet Issus coeleoptratus, more commonly referred to as a "planthopper". Photo by Malcolm Burrows Though common throughout gardens in Great Britain, young planthoppers possess a physical trait that is spectacularly uncommon in nature: two ...
Sept. 14, 2013 - The Online NewsHour
Gearlike legs propel the plant hopping Issus to nearly 400 G’s For the first time in nature, an insect has been shown to use a set of gears to aid in jumping. Said insect is the Issus coleoptratus and it can be found throughout Europe as well as in parts of the Near East and North Africa. This particular incest is a planthopper found mostly on […]
Sept. 13, 2013 - SlashGear