Sensilla detect fire: beetle

1 of 3 Infrared image of Arizona fire / NASA / License

Sensilla in the infrared sensory organ of the Melanophila acuminata beetle detect fire by a structure of lipids channeling photons to a protein region highly sensitive to hydrogen resonance.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Light - non-visible spectrum

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Fire alarm technology Sensors

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

Many animals have highly developed sensory organs. While much research has gone into understanding the sensory systems developed my mammals, Dr. H. Beckmann suggests researchers and innovative developers take a closer look at smaller organisms such as the fire beetle (Merimna) and snakes. These organisms use microbolometer systems to detect infrared radiation. Microbolometer systems are essentially thermosensors that measure the "temperature of an absorbing surface that is heated by IR radiation" (Beckmann 2004: 972). These microbolometer systems are complex systems compact enough to fit side-by-side on the ventrolateral sides of the second and third abdominal sternite of the beetle. These beetles (and snakes) have organs that are penetrated by a single neuron with its mass of dendrites attached closely; though the structural arrangement differs among species. When tested, the Melanophila beetles' (another beetle that senses forest fires) sensors did not respond to light nor moderate air movements or changes in temperature near the organs. However, they did respond to IR stimuli, suggesting that these organs are highly developed for specific use. Understanding the function of these sensory organs can lead to development of more accurate and precise sensors.

Excerpt

"The Melanophila acuminata beetle is attracted to forest fires via a pair of infrared sensory organs composed of sensilla...Mathematical calculations showed that the physical properties of the sensilla are such that the expected temperature rise is insufficient for transduction of the infrared signal through mechanical means or as a thermal receptor as previously thought; hence the protein plays the pivotal role in perception of single photons and transmission of the signal within the sensilla." (Israelowitz et al. 2011:129)

"The Melanophila acuminata sensilla are composed of lipids that may channel the photons to the protein region. Similar to high order polymers like dendrimers, which are nanometer-sized macromolecules with regular units, the lipids form regular layers with a thickness of 100 nm. The lipid layers insulate the scattering of collisional energy and direct the energy towards the IR-absorbing tulip-shaped protein region. Protein hydrogen bonds vibrate in response to infrared radiation at wavelengths around 3 µm and at wavelengths between 10 µm and 25 µm. This stretch resonance corresponds at 3 µm with the data for maximal IR absorption as well as with behavioral and sensory response of the Melanophila acuminata. The presence of this protein provides an explanation for high sensitivity and the specificity of the beetle towards the narrow infrared windows likely via a photo-effect since protein, by consequence of hydrogen resonance, absorbs in the infrared wavelength." (Israelowitz et al. 2011:136)

About the inspiring organism

Buprestidae
Buprestidae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Fire alarm technology and sensors.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Construction, Fire prevention

Experts

Biomimetics Technologies, Inc.
Meir Israelowitz, Syed W. H. Rizvi, Herb P. von Schroeder

References

Israelowitz M; Kwon JA; Rizvi SWH; Gille C; von Schroeder HP. 2011. Mechanism of infrared detection and transduction by beetle Melanophila acuminata. Journal of Bionic Engineering. 8: 129–139.

Klocke D; Schmitz A; Soltner H; Bousack H; Schmitz H. 2011. Infrared receptors in pyrophilous ("fire-loving“) insects as model for new uncooled infrared sensors. 2: 186-197.

Sensilla detect fire: beetle

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