Tarsal attachment structures of the biting midge Forcipomyia paludis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a specialized ectoparasite of Odonata imagines

Abstract The female of the biting midge Forcipomyia paludis is a dipteran ectoparasite West Palaearctic damselflies and dragonflies, sucking haemolymph mainly from wing veins their hosts. This tiny remains firmly attached to wings even during fast flight aerial fight maneuvers as shown in present paper by field studies large dragonfly, Cordulegaster boltonii . Since individuals F. attach themselves challenging surface host can successfully withstand drag vibrations flight, we assume that this species has specific microstructural adaptations on its legs for attaching surface. In our morphological study, used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confocal laser (CLSM), study structure tarsi, well micro morphology surfaces host. Additionally, first time, were able show attachment devices midges dried out contact with host’s spatulae plantar setae especially empodial setae, are capable replicating nanoscale wax crystals super hydrophobic coverage dragonfly membrane, order increase an effective area therefore adhesion. ability requires extremely soft materials spatula, which seems be rather unique comparison leg other dipterans insect taxa general.