Dragonfly larvae capture their prey with a strongly modified -extensible- mouthpart using a biomechanically unique but not yet understood mechanism. The current opinion of hydraulic pressure being the driving force of the predatory strike can be refuted by our manipulation experiments and reinterpretation of former studies. On this fact, we present evidence for a synchronized dual-catapult system powered by two spring-loaded catapults. The power output of the system exceeds generally the maximum power achievable by musculature. Energy for the movement is stored by straining a resilin-containing structure at each joint and possibly the surrounding cuticle which is preloaded by muscle contraction. To achieve the precise timing required to catch fast-moving prey, accessory structures are used to lock and actively trigger the system, ensuring the synchronisation of both catapults. As a proof of concept, we developed a bio-inspired robotic arm resembling the morphology and functional principle of the extensible mouthpart. Our study elucidates the predatory strike of dragonfly larvae by proposing a novel mechanism, where two synchronized catapults power the ballistic movement of prey capturing in dragonfly larvae – a so-called synchronized dual-catapult system. Understanding this complex biomechanical system may further our understanding in related fields of bio inspired robotics and biomimetics.

中文翻译：

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用弹射器狩猎：蜻蜓幼虫的掠食性攻击

蜻蜓幼虫使用生物力学独特但尚未了解的机制，通过强烈修饰的可延伸口器捕获猎物。当前关于液压是掠夺性打击的驱动力的观点可以通过我们的操纵实验和对以前研究的重新解释来反驳。基于这一事实，我们提供了由两个弹射弹弓驱动的同步双弹弓系统的证据。系统的功率输出通常超过肌肉组织可达到的最大功率。运动所需的能量通过在每个关节处以及可能的周围表皮处拉紧含有弹性蛋白的结构来存储，该结构通过肌肉收缩而预紧。为了获得捕捉快速移动的猎物所需的精确时间，我们使用附件结构来锁定并主动触发系统，确保两个弹射器同步。作为概念的证明，我们开发了一种受生物启发的机械臂，类似于可伸展口器的形态和功能原理。我们的研究通过提出一种新颖的机制阐明了蜻蜓幼虫的掠食性攻击，其中两个同步弹射器为蜻蜓幼虫捕获猎物的弹道运动提供了动力-所谓的同步双触觉系统。了解此复杂的生物力学系统可能会进一步增进我们对受生物启发的机器人技术和仿生技术的相关领域的了解。在这里，两个同步的弹射器为捕食蜻蜓幼虫的弹道运动提供动力-所谓的同步双弹弓系统。了解此复杂的生物力学系统可能会进一步增进我们对受生物启发的机器人技术和仿生技术的相关领域的了解。在这里，两个同步的弹射器为捕食蜻蜓幼虫的弹道运动提供动力-所谓的同步双弹弓系统。了解此复杂的生物力学系统可能会进一步增进我们对受生物启发的机器人技术和仿生技术的相关领域的了解。