Chaoborus head and anterior air-sac pair illuminated by UV light (IMAGE)

University of British Columbia

Chaoborus head and anterior air-sac pair illuminated by UV light

Caption

Researchers discovered that the insect doesn’t secrete gas into their air-sacs to make them expand. Instead, they change the pH level of the air-sac wall, the bands of resilin within the air-sac wall swell or contract in response, and the volume of the sac adjusts.

Credit

Evan McKenzie

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Original content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.