Anti-adhesive layers leave no hope for insects

The pitfall trap of the pitcher plant Nepenthes alata. Background: the image from a scanning electron microscope of the upper and lower wax layers. The diagrams show how the two wax layers reduce the adhesive ability of insects. The upper layer contaminates the insects' adhesive pads, whereas the lower layer decreases the amount of contact between the adhesive hairs of the foot and the substrate. Image: Max Planck Institute for Metals Research