Methods for biomechanical characterization of insect cuticle

Precise measurements of a material's biomechanical properties are essential to fully understand the relationship between form and function of a complex biological structure. However, to obtain useful biomechanical data and relate the data to ecomorphological aspects, it is vital to characterize the material and structure in their biologically relevant states, wherever possible. Unfortunately, there is no widely accepted standard method for biomechanical tests on insect cuticle, which makes it difficult to compare results and draw general conclusions on functional morphology or ecomorphology. This chapter provides a summary of several materials science testing methods that are frequently used for the biomechanical characterization of insect cuticle, discussing their advantages and disadvantages in an ecomorphological context. The information provided can serve as a first guideline for nonspecialists to ask the right questions and look for further information when designing their own biomechanical experiments on insect cuticle.