Researchers Discover Ladybugs Can Walk Underwater Using Trapped Air Bubbles on Their Feet

Posted on September 6, 2012

Researchers have discovered that ladybugs (or ladybird beetles) can walk underwater using air bubbles trapped on their feet. A study about the discovery was published here in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The air bubbles get trapped on the adhesive setae on the beetle feet. Take a look:

Nature reports that the researchers made an artificial silicone polymer structure covered in bristles to mimic ladybug feet. They then attached this structure to a tiny toy bulldozer, which could stick to vertical surfaces underwater.

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