Hairs prevent entry of water: rat-tailed maggot

The breathing tubes of rat-tailed maggots block water from entering via hydrophobic hairs.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Excess liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Keeping water and moisture out of packaging, houses.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Some diptera (Syrphidae or red-tailed maggots [rat-tailed maggots]) and Ephydridae (shore flies) have a pair of posterior, telescopic breathing tubes that open in spiracles with hydrophobic hairs that prevent water from entering." (van der Valk 2006:49)

About the inspiring organism

Eristalis tenax
Eristalis tenax Linnaeus, 1758

Some organism data provided by: BDWD: BioSystematic Database of World Diptera
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Keeping water and moisture out of packaging, houses.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing, construction

References

van der Valk, A. 2006. The Biology of Freshwater Wetlands. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 173 p.

Hairs prevent entry of water: rat-tailed maggot

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