Wing expansion, unfolding, development…

[joossa]

Is their a proper (biological) term for the “unfolding” of the budwings into functional wings after the last molt? I have been trying to read up on the topic online, but I can’t seem to find anything useful, so a proper term might help my research.

Thanks.

 

[Precious]

I dabbled in Lepidoptera for a couple of years and, while I'm sure there is a scientific term, it is usually referred to as "wing pumping". When the butterfly ecloses, or the mantid moults, a hormone called buscion makes the wings pump. The animal "swallows" air and swells both to enlarge their new cuticle, and to force hemolymph into the wings. They stay swollen as the epicuticle hardens. If there is injury to the wing the hemolymph, under all of the pressure, leaks out and the wing doesn't expand. I think that's probably why we have wing issues with mantids that fall when moulting. Having said all that, I have no idea what the scientifc name for it is.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[joossa]

Thanks for the help! I appreciate it! =)

 

[OGIGA]

How often do you guys get messed up wings? I never got any messed up wings...

 

[hibiscusmile]

once for me thanks God! :wink: and thanks Precious for the info :!:

 

[Precious]

Don't mention it. I had wing problems only once, when my Chinese fell during his last moult. I'm speculating that the fall injured his wings but I really don't know. His wings just didn't work out but he's cool with it.