Figure 2
From: Robust, universal, and persistent bud secretion adhesion in horse-chestnut trees
(A) A photograph showing horse-chestnut tree branches and twigs with distally situated, glistening buds (arrowheads). (B–D) Digital microscopic images of the lateral view (B), as well as the longitudinal (C) and transverse (D) cross-sections of the horse-chestnut tree bud. The shiny layer of secretion on the bud surface and between bud scales is clearly visible. (E,F) Details of the secretion embedding the bud scales. The secretion-releasing colleters are indicated in E. (G) Top view of a bud secretion droplet on the normal glass. (H,I) The secretion can be pulled into thin (H) or lamellate filaments (I); (G–I) stereomicroscopic images. (J–L) Digital microscopic images of a white-footed ant adhering to the bud secretion (J,K) and a mite immobilized by the sticky bud secretion (L). The distal appendages of arthropods are sunken in and covered with the secretion layer. bs bud scale, co colleter, se secretion. Scale bars: (B–D) 1000 µm, (E) 50 µm, (F–H,J,K) 200 µm, (I) 500 µm, (L) 100 µm.
