The Issus leafhopper is the only known creature in the natural world to have perfectly interlocking mechanical gears, which it uses to synchronize its legs for jumping.
by zeusht
The Issus leafhopper is the only known creature in the natural world to have perfectly interlocking mechanical gears, which it uses to synchronize its legs for jumping.
by zeusht
9 Comments
Millions of years of trial and error (mutations / natural selection) = a solution for almost anything.
Thats cool as hell
Isnt there like an amoeba or some shit that has like circular saws to eat?
They can release the gears I hope.
Otherwise a bad fall and misaligned gears will make them lopsided for life.
Issus is a genus of planthoppers, not leafhoppers. They are incredibly cool though.
Wait! Isn’t this mechanical engineering and not biological science?
Years ago I started talking to a girl at our climbing gym and mentioned having recently read about these little guys and how cool their little gear legs are. She thought it was really neat. I asked her out on a date. Celebrating ten years together in July.
Keep your insect facts ready, people.
I hope he remembers to change his rear differential fluid before the supply chain cost goes ballistic
Only the juveniles have the gears. It’s believed to help leafhopper legs stayed perfectly timed for their jumps.
Adults lose the gears after their final molt. If one of the teeth of the gears were to break, an adult leafhopper has no way of fixing it and could impede their ability to find mates, food, or avoid predators.