It is often idly said that “Nature never invented the wheel”. It’s not true – every cell contains tiny rotating dynamos powered by ATP. But gears? That must be impossible. But in a recent issue of Science, two British researchers (Cambridge and Br pistol) have discovered a perfectly meshed gear system in the jumping mechanism of the flightless planthopper insect Issus coleoptratus. The teeth project by about 15-30 μm. Strangely enough, having evolved this exquisite mechanism, the planthopper discards it in the final moult – the adult lacks the gears although it can still jump. The authors speculate that the gears would be a liability in the adult because should the teeth break there is no insect gear repair shop to which they can hop to get a replacement. Nature’s regenerative, self-healing capacities are legendary but they don’t extend to gears.
Science 13 September, 2013, pp. 1254-56
Science 13 September, 2013, pp. 1254-56
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