Research Reveals Complex Gear System Inside This Tiny Insect

Many useful designs created by humans were lifted from nature — and scientists recently confirmed that when it comes to gears, the animal kingdom did it first.

Historians believe gears originated in Greece sometime around the 3rd century B.C., and they’ve become increasingly more useful as technology improves. From watches to bicycles to automobiles, the intricate mechanics help a variety of objects operate as intended.

But what do they do for a tiny insect called the Issus coleoptratus?

Quite a leap

Despite its small size (they’re only about 1/10th of an inch in length), these little bugs are able to jump quite high. After studying their back legs in greater detail, scientists think they know why.

An elaborate connection of gears built into the appendages allow them to rotate precisely, thus giving them the boost needed to leap ahead.

The design even includes so-called filleted curves in the gears’ teeth, which protect against them wearing down.

All the new details were laid out in a recent issue of the “Science” journal, including photos and videos captured through powerful electron microscopes.

No thinking required

Since an insect as small as Issus coleoptratus (or planthopper, as it’s commonly known) lacks the sophisticated brain and nervous system needed to intentionally spring forward on its back legs, experts believe the gear system in its skeleton takes the place of both.

The gears allow both legs to jump at the same time, thus eliminating the possibility that the planthopper will veer to the left or right. Studies show the timing is so precise that there’s less than 30 millionths of a second between the movement of each leg during a jump.

As researcher Malcolm Burrows explains: “In Issus, the skeleton is used to solve a complex problem that the brain and nervous system can’t.”

Chris Agee March 29th, 2023

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