The 3D lightweight structural characteristics of the beetle forewing.

Abstract The present paper renewedly expounds upon the characteristics of the 3D lightweight structure of beetle forewings and notes that two biomimetic structures (models) that have appeared in recent years do not comply with these characteristics based on a comparison of the structures of the biological prototypes. The first model features transverse tubules based on observations of circular holes in cross-sectional figures of the Cybister forewing. The second is a biomimetic spherical cavity model with hollow trabeculae that reportedly exhibits superior mechanical properties because its structures are most similar to the biological prototype. Finally, a false biomimetic proposition that the mechanical properties of biomimetic structures with “fiber winding” patterns are superior to those of structures constructed of pure “epoxy” is also noted. Hopefully, the present study can serve to improve the state of research on biomimetic applications of beetle forewing structures.