Lightweight composite structures in the forewings of beetles

In order to develop lightweight biomimetics composite structures, research was done on the structural characteristics of the forewings of two beetles, Allomyrina dichotoma and Prosopocoilus inclinatus, with these characteristics to be further expounded upon. The structural models of both forewings and trabeculae were also established. As a result, (1) the beetle forewing is of a sandwich plate structure with the central void layer of trabeculae and this is one of typical lightweight composite structures. The forewing of A. dichotoma is of an economic design, while the forewing of P. inclinatus is of a more durable design; (2) the chitin fibers in trabeculae connect continuously in a curvular shape to the chitin fibers on the upper and lower laminations, and it is clear that this structure greatly increases resistance against peeling for laminated composite structures. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.