The function of resilin in beetle wings

This account shows the distribution of elastic elements in hind wings in th e scarabaeid Pachnoda marginata and coccinellid Coccinella septempunctata ( both Coleoptera). Occurrence of resilin, a rubber-like protein, in some mob ile joints together with data on wing unfolding and flight kinematics sugge st that resilin in the beetle wing has multiple functions. First, the distr ibution pattern of resilin in the wing correlates with the particular foldi ng pattern of the wing. Second, our data show that resilin occurs at the pl aces where extra elasticity is needed, for example in wing folds, to preven t material damage during repeated folding and unfolding. Third, resilin pro vides the wing with elasticity in order to be deformable by aerodynamic for ces. This may result in elastic energy storage in the wing.