Nano-Bioreplicated And 3D-Printed Decoys Analysis

Nano-Bioreplicated and 3D-Printed Decoys:
In order to produce the two types of visual decoys, by physical vapor deposition from a female Agrilus planipennis, a high fidelity (~200 nm) resolution negative die of nickel was produced. It was then followed by electrodeposition of nickel. Through successive casting and curing of polymers a positive die of epoxy was created from this negative die. Together, both of them constituted the mould. Next, a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheet was used to spincoat on one side of the quarter-wave Bragg stack reflector comprising alternating layers of poly(vinyl cinnamate) and poly(acrylic acid). This is done so as to make sure that the PET sheet acquired a green color on reflection with a peak at a wavelength
Initially, reflectance spectra for each decoy were measured using a PerkinElmer Lambda 950. It was comprised with a 150-mm integrating sphere equipped with a microfocus lens and mechanical iris to establish a beam size of 2 mm. All sample spectra were referenced to a Spectralon reflectance standard. For visualizing the light scattering patterns of the decoys a Fianium SC450 supercontinuum laser was used in a dark room. This laser was able to produce wavelengths from 450 to 2,400 nm at an average power of 4 W. A beam sampler was used to reduce the power to 1% of the original power to prevent the decoy getting damaged. Also, a cold mirror was used to eliminate any IR light that could damage the decoy. A 2-mmhole in a sheet was used to direct the light from the supercontinuum laser on to the specimen.
Electrocution traps:
A collection device and platform for two 9- × 13- cm2 green plastic cards
A green card was positioned over a funnel in the center of the piping, in such a way that beetles electrocuted from its surface would fall downward into the funnel and get trapped below, where a removable collection box is kept. It was on the surface of this card, the bioreplicated decoy was placed using one steel pin located just below it and another steel pin through its middle. A 4,000 V potential (using two C batteries) was given to these two pins using a transformer. These pins were electrically connected
A similar structure as the A. planipennis surface was confirmed by obtaining Scanning electron micrograph of the nickel die used for bioreplication. Optical microscopy of the dorsal side of the nano-bioreplicated A. planipennis decoy confirmed the similarity in the surface structure of the beetle which is colored by metallic paint.
For natural Agrilus planipennis:
Dorsal view optical microscopy images revealed the surface structure of the beetle elytron. The spines and cilia were revealed by the higher magnification images of optical microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed shows distinct patterns, of the surface features of beetle elytron. Refractive index variation of the various layers of beetle elytron is evident from transmission electron microscopy images.
5. Briefly describe stage of development
The color spectra of all three fabricated decoys had a similar spectra to that of A. planipennis elytra with a peak wavelength of about 520-540 nm. For all of the fabricated decoys the peak intensities of the spectra exceeded those of the natural A. planipennis and A. biguttatus beetle elytra. Also, the peak reflectance of A. biguttatus elytra occurred at a longer wavelength (∼610 nm) than that for A. planipennis. A. biguttatus males are seen to be highly attractive to dead, pinned A. planipennis females, despite this difference in base