Figure 1.
Scanning electron micrographs of Hemianax papuensis wing membranes.
Cross-sectional (a, c, e) and surface view (b, d, f) images were taken of each wing before chloroform extraction (a, b), after 10 s extraction (c, d), and 1 hr extraction (e, f). Loss of surface structure is visible on the wings subjected to chloroform extraction; no structure is evident after extraction for 1 hr, whereas the internal wing structure appears unchanged. Scale bars = 400 nm.
Figure 2.
Representative infrared spectra of untreated and chloroform extracted wing membranes of Hermianax papuensis.
The intensity of the CH (as indicated) stretching bands decrease successively with extended extraction time. Spectra were acquired in transmission mode.
Table 1.
Frequencies and assignments of the major absorption peaks found in the IR spectra of Hermianax papuensis.
Figure 3.
Atomic proportions of oxygen and nitrogen in the wings of Hemianax papuensis.
Figure 4.
Relative proportions of the major compound classes and chain length of dragonfly wing epicuticle components.
Figure 5.
Proposed model of the epicuticle of Hemianax papuensis wing membranes.
Three layers are contained within the epicuticle: the outer epicuticle, the meso epicuticle and the inner epicuticle.