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January 17, 2013

SEM of Tarsal Claw of Horsefly

This scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the tarsal pad of the horsefly Tabanus sulcifrons, a horsefly, highlights nature's ingenuity in creating a complex albeit simple solution for gripping and trapping. Humans have learned from nature's invention and adapted it to their own invention: Velcro. (Date of Image: December 2008) [See related image Here.]

Credit: Valerie A. Tornini, Duke University


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