This paper tries to reveal the mechanism of the high-efficient adsorption of the sex pheromone by the trichoid sensilla of the male silk moth Bombyx mori. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to acquire the topographies and nanostructures of the surfaces of the trichoid sensilla. SEM and AFM images present mostly regular pore-ridge nanostructures on the sensilla, and all the pores are located at or near the feet of the ridges. AFM phase-shift images demonstrate that the variation of phase-shift, which appears along the ridge cannot simply be attributed to heterogeneity in surface lipid properties, for the phase-shift was present in the same region with the sudden difference in height. Simulations of computational fluid dynamics were applied to investigate the effects on the airflow velocity field and streamlines by the pore-ridge nanostructures and the antenna vibration. Simulation results indicate that the airflow vortexes that form on the sensillum surface are generated by the combined effect of ambient airflow and pore-ridge structure as well as spontaneous vibration of the antenna. We suggest that the vortex intercepts and traps the pheromone molecules passing nearby, and transports them through its periodical movement to the pore. We speculate that the vortex is the aerodynamic factor benefitting the highly efficient adsorption of pheromone molecules.

中文翻译：

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雄性家蚕家蚕的毛刺感表面上的孔脊纳米结构：信息素分子的空气动力学捕集和运输。

本文试图揭示雄性蚕蛾的毛线虫感器高效吸附性信息素的机理。扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和原子力显微镜（AFM）被用来获取毛状脉络膜的表面形貌和纳米结构。SEM和AFM图像在感应器上显示出大部分规则的孔脊纳米结构，所有孔都位于或靠近脚底部。AFM相移图像表明，沿着山脊出现的相移变化不能简单地归因于表面脂质性质的异质性，因为相移存在于同一区域，但高度突然不同。应用计算流体动力学的仿真来研究孔脊纳米结构和天线振动对气流速度场和流线的影响。仿真结果表明，在感觉表面上形成的气流涡流是由周围气流和孔脊结构以及天线的自发振动共同产生的。我们建议涡旋拦截并捕获附近通过的信息素分子，并通过其周期性运动将其运输到孔中。我们推测，涡旋是使信息素分子高效吸附的空气动力学因子。仿真结果表明，在感觉表面上形成的气流涡流是由周围气流和孔脊结构以及天线的自发振动共同产生的。我们建议涡旋拦截并捕获附近通过的信息素分子，并通过其周期性运动将其运输到孔中。我们推测，涡旋是使信息素分子高效吸附的空气动力学因子。仿真结果表明，在感觉表面上形成的气流涡流是由周围气流和孔脊结构以及天线的自发振动共同产生的。我们建议涡旋拦截并捕获附近通过的信息素分子，并通过其周期性运动将其运输到孔中。我们推测，涡旋是使信息素分子高效吸附的空气动力学因子。