Author(s)

Kaixiao Huang ¹, Yuhang Shi ¹, Wei Wu ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Jun Gong Road, Shanghai, China

Corresponding Author

Wei Wu

ABSTRACT

The elytra of beetles are natural bio-composite materials, exhibiting exceptional mechanical properties attributed to their intricate microstructures, which play vital roles in protection and flight facilitation. This review systematically gives the macro- and nano-scale mechanical behaviours of beetle elytra, including tensile strength, flexural resistance, and environmental influences such as moisture content and tanning processes. Mechanical testing methods, such as tensile and three-point bending tests, show species-specific structural adaptations. Nanomechanical analyses reveal the impact of hydration and enzymatic activity on elastic modulus and hardness. Biomimetic applications inspired by microstructures, such as sandwich honeycomb models, hollow column arrays, and double-tube thin-walled designs, demonstrate significant advancements in lightweight, high-strength engineering materials. This review consolidates current research to guide future innovations in bioinspired material design, emphasizing the synergy between natural microarchitectures and engineering applications.

KEYWORDS

Beetle elytron, Mechanical properties, Bionics, Structural design

CITE THIS PAPER

Kaixiao Huang, Yuhang Shi, Wei Wu, Mechanical properties of beetle elytra and biomimetic structures: a review. Analytical Chemistry: A Journal (2025) Vol. 4: 7-14. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/analc.2025.040102.

REFERENCES

[1] Linz, D.M., Hu, A.W., Sitvarin, M.I. (2016) Functional value of elytra under various stresses in the red flour beetle. Tribolium castaneum. Sci Rep, 6: 34813.
[2] Tuyen, Q.L., Tien, V.T., Hieu, T.T. (2014) How could beetle’s elytra support their own weight during forward flight? J Bionic Eng; 11: 529–540.
[3] Chen, J.X., Zu, Q., Wu, G. (2015) Review of beetle forewing structures and their biomimetic applications in China: (II) On the three-dimensional structure, modeling and imitation. Mater Sci Eng C; 55: 620–633
[4] Yu, X., Zhang, X., Chen, J. (2020) The flexural property and its synergistic mechanism of multibody molded beetle elytron plates.Science China Technological Sciences, 63(5):1-9.
[5] Xu, M., Pan, L., Chen, J. (2019) The flexural properties of end-trabecular beetle elytron plates and their flexural failure mechanism. J Mater Sci 54, 8414–8425. 
[6] Zhang, Z., Chen, J., Elbashiry, E.M., Guo, Z., Yu, X. (2019). Effects of changes in the structural parameters of bionic straw sandwich concrete beetle elytron plates on their mechanical and thermal insulation properties. Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials, 90, 217-225.
[7] Zhang, X., Yu, X., Chen, J. (2020) Vibration properties and transverse shear characteristics of multibody molded beetle elytron plates. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 63, 2584–2592.
[8] Chen, J., Hao, N., Pan, L. (2020) Characteristics of compressive mechanical properties and strengthening mechanism of 3D-printed grid beetle elytron plates. J Mater Sci 55, 8541–8552. 
[9] Chen, J., Tuo, W., Guo, Z., Yan, L. (2017). The 3D lightweight structural characteristics of the beetle forewing. Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications, 71, 1347-1351.
[10] Saurav, D., Anna, S. (2023) Bio-logic, a review on the biomimetic application in architectural and structural design, Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 14(1), 101822.
[11] Sun, J.Y., Bhushan, B. (2012) Structure and mechanical properties of beetle wings: a review. RSC Advances, 2(33), 12606-12623. 
[12] Sun, J.Y., Tong, J., Chen, D.H. (2010) Micro-tensile testing of the lightweight laminated structures of beetle elytra cuticle. Advances in Natural Science, 3(2), 225-234.
[13] Kundanati, L., Signetti, S., Gupta, H.S. (2018) Multilayer stag beetle elytra perform better under external loading via nonsymmetric bending properties. Journal of the Royal Society Interfaace, 15(144), 20180427.
[14] Zhang, Z.J., Wu, W., Sun, J.Y. (2015) Investigation of water's effect on nanomechanical characteristics of beetle cuticle, International Conference on Manipulation, Manufacturing and Measurement on the Nanoscale. New York: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc, 10,5-9.
[15] Lomakin, J., Huber, P.A., Eichler, C. (2011) Mechanical properties of the beetle elytron, a biological composite material. Biomacromolecules, 12(2), 321-335.
[16] Yu, M., Hermann, I., Dai, Z.D. (2013) Mechanical and frictional properties of the elytra of five species of beetles. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 10(1), 77-83.
[17] Sun, J.Y, Wu, W., Du, R.J. (2017) Nanomechanical properties of elytra derived from irreversible and reversible color-changing beetles, International Conference on Manipulation, Manufacturing and Measurement on the Nanoscale. New York: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc, 7,7-11.
[18] Zhang, X.M., Xie, J., Chen, J.X. (2017) The beetle elytron plate: a lightweight, high-strength and buffering functional-structural bionic material. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 4440.
[19] Zhang, X.M., Chen, J.X., Okabe, Y. (2020) Influence of honeycomb dimensions and forming methods on the compressive properties of beetle elytron plates. Journal of Sandwich Structures and Materials, 22(1), 28-39.
[20] Yu, X.D., Pan, L.C., Chen, J.X. (2019) Experimental and numerical study on the energy absorption abilities of trabecular–honeycomb biomimetic structures inspired by beetle elytra. Journal of Materials Science, 54(3), 2193-2204.
[21] Chen, J.X., Wu, G. (2013) Beetle forewings: Epitome of the optimal design for lightweight composite materials. Carbohydrate Polymers, 91(2), 659-665.
[22] Chen, J.X., Zhang, X.M., Okabe, Y.(2019)Beetle elytron plate and the synergistic mechanism of a trabecular-honeycomb core structure. Science China Technological Sciences, 62(1), 87-93.
[23] Chen, J.X., Zhang, X.M., Okabe, Y.(2017) The deformation mode and strengthening mechanism of compression in the beetle elytron plate. Materials and Design, 131, 481-486. 
[24] Guo, C., Li, D., Lu, Z.Y.(2014) Mechanical properties of a novel, lightweight structure inspired by beetle's elytra. Chinese Science Bulletin, 59(26), 3341-3347.
[25] Xiang, J.W., Du, J.X., Li, D.C.(2017) Numerical analysis of the impact resistance in aluminum alloy bi-tubular thin-walled structures designs inspired by beetle elytra. Journal of Materials Science, 52(22), 13247-13260.
[26] Kamp, T.V.D, Dörstelmann, M., Rolo, T.D.S. (2015) Beetle elytra as role models for lightweight building construction. Entomologie Heute, 27, 149-158.

Sponsors, Associates, and Links

---

• Forging and Forming
  
  
• Composites and Nano Engineering
  
  
• Journal of Materials, Processing and Design
  
  
• Metallic foams
  
  
• Smart Structures, Materials and Systems
  
  
• Chemistry and Physics of Polymers
  
  
• Modern Physical Chemistry Research
  
  
• Inorganic Chemistry: A Journal
  
  
• Organic Chemistry: A Journal
  
  
• Progress in Materials Chemistry and Physics
  
  
• Transactions on Industrial Catalysis
  
  
• Fuels and Combustion
  
  
• Casting, Welding and Solidification
  
  
• Journal of Membrane Technology
  
  
• Journal of Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering
  
  
• Trends in Biochemical Engineering
  
  
• Ceramic and Glass Technology
  
  
• Transactions on Metals and Alloys
  
  
• High Performance Structures and Materials
  
  
• Rheology Letters
  
  
• Plasticity Frontiers
  
  
• Corrosion and Wear of Materials
  
  
• Fluids, Heat and Mass Transfer
  
  
• International Journal of Geochemistry
  
  
• Diamond and Carbon Materials
  
  
• Advances in Magnetism and Magnetic Materials
  
  
• Advances in Fuel Cell
  
  
• Journal of Biomaterials and Biomechanics